CVE-2017-18320 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
QSEE unload attempt on a 3rd party TEE without previously loading results in a data abort in snapdragon automobile and snapdragon mobile in versions MSM8996AU, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 650/52, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX24, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, SXR1130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms where the TrustZone Execution Environment (QSEE) fails to properly validate the state of a third-party Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) during unloading operations. The flaw occurs when an application attempts to unload a TEE component without first loading it, resulting in a data abort condition that can lead to system instability and potential security compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm chipsets including the MSM8996AU, various SD series processors, and multiple Snapdragon automotive platforms, indicating a fundamental issue in the TEE management subsystem that spans across multiple hardware generations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate state checking mechanisms within the QSEE component responsible for managing third-party TEE operations. When the system receives an unload command for a TEE module that has not been properly initialized or loaded, the memory management unit fails to handle this invalid state transition gracefully. This results in a data abort exception that can potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the secure execution environment or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper error handling and state validation that allows malicious actors to manipulate the TEE lifecycle management process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the entire security architecture of devices running affected Qualcomm chipsets. Attackers could leverage this weakness to disrupt legitimate TEE operations, potentially creating opportunities for privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic operations. The widespread nature of affected hardware platforms means that numerous automotive systems, mobile devices, and IoT products could be vulnerable to exploitation, making this a critical concern for manufacturers and security teams. The vulnerability's potential for causing data abort conditions also means that it could be used to trigger system crashes or create predictable failure states that might aid in further exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper state validation checks within the QSEE component before any unload operations are permitted. System updates and patches should ensure that the TEE management layer properly validates whether a component is loaded before attempting to unload it, preventing the data abort condition from occurring. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous TEE behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception," and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and system compromise through operating system vulnerabilities. Device manufacturers should prioritize firmware updates that address this specific state management flaw while also conducting comprehensive security assessments of their TEE implementations to identify similar vulnerabilities in related components.