CVE-2018-11259 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
Due to Improper Access Control of NAND-based EFS in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear, From fastboot on a NAND-based device, the EFS partition can be erased. Apps processor then has non-secure world full read/write access to the partition until the modem boots and configures the EFS partition addresses in its MPU partition.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This vulnerability resides in the Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable platforms where the embedded file system partition known as EFS faces improper access control mechanisms. The flaw manifests specifically during the fastboot process on NAND-based devices, creating a critical window of opportunity for unauthorized partition manipulation. The EFS partition, which typically stores sensitive user data and system configuration parameters, becomes vulnerable to complete erasure through this improper access control implementation.
The technical exploitation occurs through the fastboot interface where malicious actors can execute commands that erase the EFS partition entirely. This vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls that fail to properly authenticate or authorize access to the EFS partition during the device boot process. The root cause lies in the absence of proper access validation mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized modification of critical system partitions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental data storage layer that contains sensitive information such as encryption keys, user credentials, and device configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to completely wipe the EFS partition, potentially leading to data loss and system instability. Once the partition is erased, the application processor gains unrestricted read/write access to the partition until the modem completes its boot process and properly configures the EFS partition addresses within its MPU (Memory Protection Unit) partition. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate or extract sensitive data from the partition before the proper security boundaries are established. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security architecture by allowing unauthorized modification of persistent storage during the critical boot phase.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant weakness in the device's security model. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through system-level modifications. The attack surface extends beyond simple data loss to include potential device compromise and information disclosure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Qualcomm, proper access control enforcement during boot processes, and monitoring for unauthorized fastboot activity. Additionally, security researchers should consider this vulnerability when assessing automotive and mobile device security postures, as it demonstrates how fundamental storage access controls can be bypassed during device initialization phases.