CVE-2018-11264 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
Possible buffer overflow in Ontario fingerprint code due to lack of input validation for the parameters coming into TZ from HLOS in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear in versions MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDA660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11264 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the fingerprint authentication subsystem of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Trusted Zone (TZ) component that processes data from the Host Linux Operating System (HLOS) environment. The flaw specifically affects multiple generations of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, and various SD series processors spanning from SD 210 through SD 835 and SDA660. The buffer overflow occurs when parameters are transmitted from the HLOS to the TZ component without proper validation of their size or content, creating potential exploitation vectors for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the fingerprint code module where the Trusted Zone fails to validate parameter lengths before processing incoming data from the host operating system. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that exceed the allocated buffer space, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations, which can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in memory management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across automotive and mobile device ecosystems where Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are deployed, particularly affecting vehicles utilizing the Snapdragon Automobile platform and mobile devices incorporating the affected chipsets. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to bypass fingerprint authentication mechanisms, gain unauthorized access to device functions, or escalate privileges within the secure environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these chipsets in automotive infotainment systems, mobile phones, tablets, and wearable devices. The vulnerability can be leveraged through various attack vectors including malicious firmware updates, compromised applications, or direct exploitation of the communication channels between HLOS and TZ components, making it a significant threat to device security and user privacy. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation through system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11264 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and Qualcomm, as the most effective remediation requires patching the underlying code within the Trusted Zone component. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous communication patterns between HLOS and TZ modules, and establish memory protection mechanisms including stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce exploit reliability. Device manufacturers should enforce strict input validation procedures within all secure execution environments and implement comprehensive code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security-critical modules. Additionally, system administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically designed to monitor for buffer overflow patterns and maintain regular security assessments of automotive and mobile device firmware to identify potential exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in trusted execution environments, particularly when dealing with sensitive biometric data processing.