CVE-2018-11857 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Improper input validation in WLAN encrypt/decrypt module can lead to a buffer copy in Snapdragon Mobile in version SD 835, SD 845, SD 850
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11857 represents a critical security flaw within the WLAN encryption and decryption module of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors. This issue affects the Snapdragon 835, 845, and 850 chipsets, which are widely deployed in high-end smartphones and mobile devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the wireless local area network processing components, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise device security and user data integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of input data during wireless communication processing. When the WLAN module receives encrypted or decrypted data packets, it fails to adequately validate the size and structure of incoming buffers before copying data into internal memory structures. This deficiency creates opportunities for buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the device's secure processing environment. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the cryptographic processing routines where data is copied between different memory regions without sufficient bounds checking, making it susceptible to memory corruption attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to mobile device security and user privacy. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to device functionalities, execute malicious code, or extract sensitive information from the device's memory. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete device compromise, persistent backdoor access, and potential lateral movement within networked environments. Given the widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets in enterprise and consumer devices, the potential attack surface is substantial, affecting millions of users across various mobile platforms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, network segmentation to limit wireless communication exposure, and enhanced monitoring of suspicious network activities. Additionally, users should ensure their devices receive timely security patches and consider temporary disabling of wireless features when not actively needed. The remediation process requires coordinated efforts between chipset vendors, device manufacturers, and end-users to ensure comprehensive protection against this class of buffer overflow vulnerabilities in mobile wireless communication systems.