CVE-2018-11271 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper authentication can happen on Remote command handling due to inappropriate handling of events in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, 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 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SM7150, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11271 represents a critical authentication flaw within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems. This weakness stems from improper handling of remote command events within the modem subsystem, specifically affecting multiple generations of Snapdragon processors used across automotive, industrial, and consumer IoT applications. The vulnerability manifests in the manner in which the system processes incoming commands and events, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access to critical system functions. The affected hardware platforms span across numerous Snapdragon variants including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, and various SDM and SDA series processors, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's product portfolio. This authentication failure creates a fundamental security gap where legitimate system commands can be bypassed or manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given the automotive applications where these processors are deployed, as they often control critical vehicle functions and connectivity features.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves inadequate validation mechanisms within the remote command handling subsystem of the modem processor. When the system receives event notifications or command sequences, the authentication checks fail to properly verify the legitimacy of incoming requests, potentially allowing attackers to execute unauthorized operations. This weakness aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a direct violation of proper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the event processing logic where authentication tokens or command signatures are not adequately validated before execution. Attackers could potentially exploit this by crafting malicious event sequences that bypass normal authentication procedures, leading to unauthorized access to system resources and potentially dangerous control over vehicle functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11271 extends beyond traditional cybersecurity concerns into physical safety domains, particularly within automotive environments where these processors are deployed. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to vehicle communication systems, potentially allowing for remote control of critical functions such as braking, steering, or engine management. This represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, where attackers could leverage this weakness to move laterally within vehicle systems. The attack surface includes scenarios where adversaries might exploit this vulnerability through compromised cellular connections, Bluetooth interfaces, or other communication channels that utilize the affected Snapdragon processors. The widespread deployment of these processors across multiple vehicle platforms and IoT devices amplifies the potential impact, as a single vulnerability could affect numerous connected systems simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require comprehensive system-level interventions and firmware updates from Qualcomm. Organizations should implement immediate firmware patches provided by Qualcomm to address the authentication handling flaws in affected processors. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of additional authentication layers beyond the existing system mechanisms provides defense-in-depth approaches. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary communication interfaces when possible and implementing strict access controls for system commands. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability requires attention under automotive cybersecurity standards such as ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and ISO/SAE 21434, which mandate proper authentication and access control mechanisms. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that the implemented mitigations remain effective against evolving attack techniques.