CVE-2018-11267 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, when sending an malformed XML data to deviceprogrammer/firehose it may do an out of bounds buffer write allowing a region of memory to be filled with 0x20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable device platforms affecting multiple chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8996AU, and various SD series processors. The flaw manifests when the device programmer/firehose component receives malformed XML data, creating a critical buffer overflow condition that enables unauthorized memory manipulation. The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds write operation where memory regions are filled with 0x20 values, representing space characters in hexadecimal notation, which can potentially be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations and compromise system integrity. This issue represents a significant security weakness in the Qualcomm automotive and mobile ecosystem, particularly concerning the device programmer interface that handles firmware updates and diagnostic communications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the XML parser implementation, allowing attackers to craft malicious data streams that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The operational impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it potentially enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the device's execution environment, particularly during firmware update processes when the device programmer interface is actively processing data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, modify device behavior, or potentially establish persistent backdoors within automotive systems or mobile devices that rely on these Snapdragon chipsets. The attack surface is particularly concerning for automotive applications where vehicle systems depend on secure communication protocols and firmware integrity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution through XML-based payloads, and T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through memory corruption exploits. The affected devices operate under a trusted execution environment where firmware updates are critical for maintaining system security, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited during legitimate update procedures. The memory corruption pattern where 0x20 values fill the overflowed regions suggests a specific exploitation vector that could be leveraged to overwrite critical control structures or function pointers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in both automotive and mobile platforms indicates a widespread risk across multiple industries where Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are deployed, requiring coordinated patching efforts across various device manufacturers and automotive suppliers. The issue represents a fundamental flaw in the input sanitization process within the device programmer component, where XML data validation does not properly account for buffer size limitations, allowing malicious actors to craft payloads that trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal device operation. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure firmware update mechanisms and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those used in safety-critical automotive applications where system reliability and security are paramount. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to vehicle control systems, compromise of mobile device security, or disruption of critical communication services that depend on these Snapdragon platforms.
The vulnerability's impact extends to multiple automotive and mobile device categories, affecting systems that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive platforms and mobile processors. The buffer overflow condition specifically affects the device programmer/firehose interface which is responsible for handling firmware updates and diagnostic communications, making it a critical component in the device's security architecture. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially modify firmware images, inject malicious code, or manipulate device behavior during update processes. The out-of-bounds memory write operation where 0x20 values are written to memory regions represents a specific exploitation pattern that could be used to overwrite critical data structures or control flow information within the device's memory space. This vulnerability particularly affects automotive systems where vehicle security is paramount, as it could potentially be exploited to compromise vehicle control systems or communication protocols. The affected chipsets span multiple generations of Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms, indicating a broad attack surface that requires coordinated remediation efforts across various device manufacturers and automotive suppliers. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds write operation aligns with common exploitation patterns in embedded systems where input validation failures lead to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or code execution. The presence of this vulnerability in both automotive and mobile platforms highlights the interconnected nature of modern device security, where flaws in one domain can potentially affect multiple application areas. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of malformed XML data that can trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal device operation, making it a sophisticated attack vector that requires understanding of the target system's memory layout and execution environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms in embedded systems, particularly those used in safety-critical applications where system integrity is essential for proper operation and security. The remediation of this vulnerability requires firmware updates that address the buffer overflow condition in the device programmer interface, ensuring that XML data is properly validated and that buffer boundaries are respected during processing operations.