CVE-2018-11287 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM710, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, incorrect control flow implementation in Video while checking buffer sufficiency.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11287 represents a critical control flow implementation flaw within the video processing subsystem of various Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform chips. This issue affects a wide range of hardware components including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and numerous SD series processors spanning from the SD 210 through the SDM710 platforms. The flaw manifests specifically during buffer sufficiency checks within video processing operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the control flow of the system. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of improper control flow management that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected hardware platforms are widely deployed in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for both consumer and industrial applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of buffer sizes during video processing operations, which can result in memory corruption when the system fails to properly verify whether allocated buffers can accommodate incoming video data. This weakness directly maps to CWE-697, which describes insufficient control flow implementation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter while potentially enabling privilege escalation through system manipulation. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple video processing failures, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to vehicle systems or mobile device functionalities. In automotive environments, this could lead to compromised infotainment systems that might provide access to critical vehicle controls or data. The vulnerability's presence in multiple generations of Snapdragon chips indicates a systemic issue that affects both legacy and modern platforms, requiring comprehensive patching strategies across the entire product lifecycle.
The technical implementation flaw specifically occurs when the video processing component performs buffer sufficiency checks during video decoding or encoding operations. The system fails to properly validate whether the allocated memory buffers can handle the incoming video data stream, creating opportunities for buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption. This improper validation leads to a situation where control flow can be manipulated by malicious inputs, potentially allowing attackers to redirect execution paths within the video processing module. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of video input data that can trigger the specific buffer validation path, but once successful, it can result in complete system compromise. The flaw's root cause lies in the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the video processing pipeline, particularly during the initialization and validation stages of buffer allocation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automotive environments where infotainment systems often share network buses with critical vehicle control systems, creating potential attack vectors that could extend beyond entertainment functions. The affected platforms include both automotive-grade and consumer-grade processors, indicating the vulnerability's widespread impact across different market segments. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation complexity varies based on the specific platform and implementation details, but all affected variants present similar risk profiles due to the fundamental control flow issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11287 require immediate patch deployment across all affected Snapdragon platform variants, with particular attention to automotive systems that may have extended deployment cycles. System administrators should prioritize updating vehicle infotainment systems and mobile devices to the latest firmware versions provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. The vulnerability's impact on automotive systems necessitates coordinated patch management across automotive supply chains, as these platforms often have longer update cycles than consumer devices. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate automotive infotainment systems from critical vehicle control networks, reducing the potential attack surface for exploitation. Additional protective measures include monitoring for anomalous video processing behavior and implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect buffer manipulation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-697 emphasizes the need for comprehensive code review processes that focus on control flow validation and buffer management practices. Security teams should also consider implementing threat hunting activities specifically targeting video processing components in affected systems, as this vulnerability may be used in advanced persistent threat campaigns. The ATT&CK framework suggests that adversaries may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through video processing modules, making continuous monitoring essential for early detection. Device manufacturers should enhance their secure boot processes to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability through malicious firmware updates, while also implementing proper input validation mechanisms within video processing pipelines. Organizations deploying affected platforms should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all potential attack vectors and implement compensating controls to reduce exposure during patch deployment cycles.