CVE-2018-11274 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, buffer overflow may occur when payload size is extremely large.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11274 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple Android variants including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android platforms. This flaw exists within the Linux kernel implementation used across these mobile operating systems, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests specifically when processing payloads of extremely large sizes, indicating that the system lacks proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms for handling oversized data structures.
This buffer overflow vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the kernel-level code responsible for processing incoming data payloads. The flaw allows an attacker to potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations, leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple device platforms and operating systems, suggesting a widespread implementation issue that spans across different hardware and software configurations. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking permits data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11274 extends beyond simple system instability, as it could enable remote code execution attacks that compromise device integrity and user data confidentiality. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain elevated privileges, install malicious applications, or exfiltrate sensitive information from affected devices. The vulnerability's presence across different Android variants and hardware platforms means that the attack surface is extensive, affecting numerous mobile devices and potentially enterprise mobile device management systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for persistence and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates provided by device manufacturers and carriers. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual payload sizes being transmitted to mobile devices, as well as deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized code. Additionally, device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management policies that enforce secure configuration settings and regularly audit system logs for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in kernel-level code development, particularly for embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to insufficient security controls.