CVE-2018-11290 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820A, SD 845, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, MAC address randomization performed during probe requests is not done properly due to a flawed RNG in use.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable device platforms where the random number generator implementation used for MAC address randomization during probe requests contains a fundamental flaw. The issue affects multiple generations of Snapdragon chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, and numerous SD series processors. The core problem manifests when devices perform wireless network probing activities where they should randomize their MAC addresses to enhance privacy and prevent tracking. However, due to the flawed random number generator implementation, the MAC address randomization process becomes predictable and deterministic rather than truly random. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-330 Use of Insufficiently Random Values, which specifically addresses weaknesses in cryptographic implementations where insufficient entropy leads to predictable outputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass significant security implications for automotive and mobile environments. When devices use predictable MAC addresses during probe requests, attackers can correlate network traffic patterns and establish detailed tracking profiles of device movements and usage patterns. In automotive applications, this could enable location tracking of vehicles, while in mobile environments it allows for persistent identification of users across different networks and locations. The flaw particularly affects devices that rely on privacy-enhancing features during wireless network discovery processes, where the expected privacy protections fail due to the predictable nature of the randomization algorithm. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it creates a persistent tracking capability that could be exploited by threat actors to establish long-term surveillance of target devices.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the use of an inadequate random number generator that fails to provide sufficient entropy for cryptographic purposes. When wireless devices initiate probe requests to discover available networks, they should randomize their MAC addresses to prevent fingerprinting and tracking. However, the flawed implementation means that the same sequence of pseudo-random numbers is generated repeatedly, leading to predictable MAC address patterns. This weakness creates a persistent identifier that can be used across multiple network sessions and time periods. The vulnerability particularly affects devices that operate in environments where network discovery and connection processes occur frequently, such as automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices with continuous network scanning, and wearable devices with wireless connectivity. Organizations should implement mitigations including network-level filtering to detect and block predictable MAC address patterns, device firmware updates from Qualcomm addressing the RNG implementation, and network monitoring solutions specifically designed to identify and alert on suspicious MAC address behavior patterns. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the device's privacy protection mechanisms and requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation by threat actors seeking to establish persistent tracking capabilities against affected devices.