CVE-2017-8276 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
Improper authorization involving a fuse in TrustZone in snapdragon automobile, snapdragon mobile and snapdragon wear in versions MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, 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 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX24, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-8276 represents a critical authorization flaw within the TrustZone security architecture of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue specifically affects the fuse mechanism that controls access to sensitive hardware resources and security features. The vulnerability manifests in multiple Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8996AU, and various SD series processors, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's automotive and mobile product lines. The flaw resides in how the TrustZone component manages authorization for fuse operations, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access to critical system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of authorization checks within the TrustZone environment. When the system processes fuse operations, it fails to adequately verify the legitimacy of requests originating from different security domains. This weakness allows malicious actors to potentially bypass normal authorization procedures and manipulate fuse settings that control hardware security features. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the hardware level within the TrustZone, which serves as the primary security boundary for protecting sensitive operations and data. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authorization mechanisms where insufficient checks permit unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which attackers can manipulate security-relevant hardware states without proper authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8276 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire security architecture of affected devices. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to secure boot mechanisms, cryptographic key storage, and other hardware-level security features that are fundamental to device protection. In automotive applications, this could enable unauthorized modification of vehicle security systems, potentially compromising vehicle safety and security. The vulnerability affects devices running various Snapdragon chipsets from 2016 onwards, creating a substantial attack surface across both consumer and automotive markets. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as it allows adversaries to bypass security controls and potentially maintain persistent access to the device. The impact is particularly severe because TrustZone is designed to provide a secure execution environment, and compromising its authorization mechanisms undermines the fundamental security model of the platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the specific authorization flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive device inventory management to identify all affected Snapdragon chipsets and prioritize patch deployment. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement additional security controls such as secure boot enforcement and hardware-based attestation mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authorization checking in hardware security modules and underscores the need for thorough security testing of TrustZone implementations. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous fuse access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the widespread nature of affected chipsets, comprehensive vulnerability management programs must account for both software and hardware-level remediation measures. The remediation process should include verification of patch installation and validation of TrustZone authorization controls to ensure that the specific authorization bypass has been properly addressed.