CVE-2017-18318 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
Missing validation check on CRL issuer name in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile in versions MSM8996AU, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18318 represents a critical security flaw in the cryptographic validation mechanisms of Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue specifically targets the Certificate Revocation List (CRL) processing functionality within the hardware security components of these chipsets, affecting a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and automotive systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of Certificate Revocation List issuer names, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to compromise the integrity of digital certificate validation processes that are fundamental to secure communications and authentication.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper validation checks for CRL issuer names during the certificate revocation process. When a device processes a Certificate Revocation List, it should verify that the issuer name matches the expected certificate authority to ensure the list is legitimate and has not been tampered with. However, the Snapdragon chipsets fail to perform this crucial validation step, allowing attackers to potentially substitute malicious CRLs with forged issuer names. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can bypass certificate validation mechanisms and establish fraudulent secure connections. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple generations of Qualcomm's mobile and automotive processors, creating a widespread attack surface across numerous device models and applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple certificate validation failures, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that could compromise device security and user privacy. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform certificate pinning bypasses, allowing them to intercept encrypted communications, impersonate legitimate services, or gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in automotive applications where secure communications between vehicle systems and external networks are critical for safety and functionality. Devices utilizing these chipsets may become susceptible to attacks targeting secure boot processes, over-the-air updates, and secure communication protocols that rely on proper certificate validation. The lack of issuer name validation creates a persistent security gap that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats and supply chain attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18318 should focus on both immediate and long-term security measures to protect affected systems. Device manufacturers and OEMs must implement firmware updates that introduce proper CRL issuer name validation checks, ensuring that all certificate revocation lists are validated against known certificate authorities before processing. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous certificate validation patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation and relates to ATT&CK technique T1556.001 for credential access through certificate manipulation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their affected systems, review certificate management policies, and implement additional layers of security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management programs become critical for maintaining protection against this and similar vulnerabilities in the evolving threat landscape.