CVE-2018-11257 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls in TA in Snapdragon Mobile has an options that allows RPMB erase for secure devices in versions SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 845, SD 850.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11257 resides within the TrustZone (TA) implementation of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms, specifically affecting devices utilizing the Secure Processing Environment (SPE) and RPMB (Replay Protected Memory Block) functionality. This issue manifests as a critical weakness in the permissions, privileges, and access controls mechanisms that govern secure device operations. The flaw allows unauthorized entities to perform RPMB erase operations on secure devices, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of protected data stored within these memory blocks. The vulnerability impacts a range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets including the SD 210, SD 212, SD 205, SD 845, and SD 850 platforms, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple generations of mobile processors.
The technical implementation flaw stems from insufficient access control validation within the Trusted Application layer of the Snapdragon platform. Specifically, the vulnerability occurs when the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize requests for RPMB erase operations, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security protocols. This weakness creates a privilege escalation scenario where unauthorized code execution can occur within the secure environment, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate or destroy sensitive data stored in the RPMB. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of hardware security features and software implementation, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model of the device's secure element. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in permissions and access controls, specifically CWE-284, which deals with inadequate access control mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1566, which covers 'Phishing for Information' as attackers could exploit this weakness to gain deeper access to device functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11257 extends beyond simple data loss, as it fundamentally compromises the security architecture of affected devices. When an RPMB erase operation can be performed without proper authorization, it enables attackers to clear secure storage areas that typically contain critical information such as encryption keys, biometric templates, secure boot parameters, and other sensitive data required for device authentication and protection. This vulnerability essentially allows attackers to neutralize the secure storage capabilities of the device, rendering the security features ineffective against subsequent attacks. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise environments where mobile devices store corporate data, and for consumer devices where personal information is protected by secure storage mechanisms. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Snapdragon generations means that a significant portion of the mobile device market remains exposed, potentially affecting hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. This weakness could enable sophisticated attacks such as persistent backdoors, key extraction for encryption bypass, or complete device compromise through manipulation of secure boot processes. Organizations relying on these devices for security-sensitive operations face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to protected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges compared to other similar attacks, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise mobile device security. The impact extends to both individual user privacy and enterprise security posture, as the ability to erase secure storage undermines the trust model that mobile operating systems and security frameworks depend upon for protecting user data and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11257 should focus on immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive device inventory management to identify affected platforms and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management systems are in place. Device administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as secure boot enforcement, encryption key rotation protocols, and regular security assessments of mobile device configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities for mobile device security, as it demonstrates how hardware-level security flaws can have widespread implications across device ecosystems. Organizations should also consider deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address mobile security vulnerabilities. Additionally, security teams should evaluate their existing mobile device management policies to ensure that devices are configured with appropriate security settings that minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security testing and validation of hardware security features, particularly in components that handle sensitive data and authentication functions.