CVE-2018-11291 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA4531, QCA6174A, QCA6564, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA6584AU, QCA9377, QCA9378, QCA9379, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 600, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, cryptographic issues due to the random number generator was not a strong one in NAN.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11291 represents a critical cryptographic weakness affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable platforms. This issue stems from the implementation of a non-strong random number generator within the Near Area Network (NAN) functionality of these chipsets, creating fundamental security flaws that compromise the integrity of cryptographic operations. The affected devices include a wide range of processors such as the IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA4531, QCA6174A, QCA6564, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA6584AU, QCA9377, QCA9378, QCA9379, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 600, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016 platforms.
This cryptographic flaw directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security-critical contexts. The weak random number generation within the NAN implementation creates predictable sequences that adversaries can potentially exploit to compromise security protocols. When cryptographic systems rely on weak random number generators, they become vulnerable to various attacks including key recovery, session hijacking, and authentication bypasses. The impact extends beyond simple cryptographic failures as it affects the fundamental security posture of connected vehicles and mobile devices that depend on these platforms for secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial across automotive and mobile ecosystems where these Snapdragon chipsets are deployed. In automotive applications, the compromised random number generation could enable attackers to predict security keys used in vehicle communication protocols, potentially allowing unauthorized access to vehicle systems or enabling relay attacks on keyless entry systems. For mobile devices, this weakness could undermine secure communications, wireless transactions, and authentication mechanisms that rely on strong cryptographic randomness. The vulnerability affects both consumer and industrial applications, creating widespread exposure across the automotive and mobile technology sectors that depend on Qualcomm's secure connectivity solutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the random number generator implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to ensure all affected devices receive timely security updates. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on cryptographic protocol failures and authentication anomalies. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and encryption where possible, while adhering to ATT&CK framework principles for detecting and preventing cryptographic attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust random number generation in embedded systems and emphasizes the need for continuous security validation of cryptographic implementations in automotive and mobile platforms, particularly those operating in high-risk environments where security failures could result in significant operational and safety consequences.