CVE-2018-11875 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of check of buffer size before copying in a WLAN function can lead to a buffer overflow in Snapdragon Mobile in version SD 845, SD 850.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11875 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the WLAN functionality of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors. This issue affects the SD 845 and SD 850 chipset variants, which are widely deployed in high-end smartphones and mobile devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of buffer sizes during data copying operations within the wireless local area network subsystem, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected devices.
This buffer overflow condition occurs when the WLAN driver fails to properly verify the size of data being copied into fixed-size buffers, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of wireless network packets and related communication protocols, where insufficient input validation enables attackers to craft malicious data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. Such conditions typically arise from improper bounds checking in the kernel-level network drivers that manage wireless connectivity functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as buffer overflows in mobile processor components can enable privilege escalation and complete system compromise. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, gaining unrestricted access to device resources including storage, communication channels, and sensitive user data. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is particularly concerning given that it affects widely deployed Snapdragon chipsets in flagship mobile devices, making millions of users susceptible to remote code execution attacks through wireless network protocols.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-121, which describes the weakness of insufficient boundary checking in buffer operations, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through wireless protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in mobile processor firmware, particularly in kernel-level drivers that handle network communications. Mitigation strategies include firmware updates from device manufacturers, which typically involve implementing proper buffer size validation and bounds checking mechanisms, along with network-level security measures such as wireless intrusion detection systems and monitoring for anomalous packet patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the security challenges inherent in mobile processor ecosystems where complex firmware components must maintain memory safety while providing high-performance wireless connectivity. Device manufacturers and security vendors should prioritize immediate patch deployment and implement additional runtime protections including memory protection mechanisms and code integrity checks to defend against potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of buffer overflow vulnerabilities in mobile platforms.