CVE-2018-11277 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SDA660, the com.qualcomm.embms is a vendor package deployed in the system image which has an inadequate permission level and allows any application installed from Play Store to request this permission at install-time. The system application interfaces with the Radio Interface Layer leading to potential access control issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11277 represents a critical access control flaw within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems. This weakness affects a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and numerous SD series processors spanning from entry-level to high-end mobile platforms. The vulnerability resides in the com.qualcomm.embms vendor package which operates as a system-level component within the Android system image. This package interfaces directly with the Radio Interface Layer, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious applications. The flaw stems from improper permission management where the system component fails to enforce appropriate access controls, allowing any application installed from the Play Store to request and obtain permissions that should be restricted to system-level applications only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined by security standards. The com.qualcomm.embms package operates with insufficient permission boundaries, creating an environment where third-party applications can gain unauthorized access to radio interface layer functionalities. This misconfiguration allows malicious actors to potentially intercept or manipulate radio communications, access sensitive telephony data, or perform unauthorized network operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Android security model by undermining the permission system that typically restricts access to system-level components. This issue aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant weakness in the Android security architecture where vendor-specific packages fail to maintain proper security boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to mobile device security and user privacy. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to cellular radio functions, potentially enabling them to perform eavesdropping on communications, manipulate network connections, or execute unauthorized data transfers. The impact extends beyond individual device security to potentially affect broader network integrity, especially in automotive applications where connectivity and communication reliability are paramount. The vulnerability affects millions of devices across various Snapdragon platforms, creating a widespread security concern that could be leveraged for large-scale attacks. The fact that any Play Store application can request this permission at install time means users may unknowingly grant access to critical radio functions without understanding the implications.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence within mobile environments. Malicious applications could use this weakness to establish persistent access to radio functionalities, potentially enabling them to maintain long-term control over device communications. The attack surface is particularly concerning in automotive applications where such vulnerabilities could compromise vehicle connectivity, telematics systems, or safety-critical communications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, application sandboxing measures, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to radio interface layer components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper permission management in vendor-specific packages and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of system-level components that interface with critical hardware functions.