CVE-2018-11876 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of input validation while copying to buffer in WLAN will lead to a buffer overflow in Snapdragon Mobile in version SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11876 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the wireless local area network functionality of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets. This issue affects the Snapdragon 835, 845, 850, and SDA660 platforms, which are widely deployed in high-end smartphones and mobile devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms during buffer copy operations within the WLAN subsystem, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise device security. The flaw exists at the hardware-software interface level where wireless communication protocols interact with the underlying operating system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when the WLAN driver processes incoming network packets or configuration data without proper bounds checking. When data exceeding the allocated buffer size is received, the system fails to validate the input length before copying it into memory locations, leading to memory corruption. This buffer overflow condition can be triggered through specially crafted network traffic or malicious Wi-Fi signals that exploit the insufficient validation logic in the wireless driver. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, specifically categorized as CWE-129 which addresses inadequate bounds checking. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer execution and T1068 for exploit development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and remote code execution within the device environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw could potentially gain elevated privileges within the mobile operating system, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with system-level access. This capability enables malicious actors to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive user data, or compromise the device's integrity. The widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets means that millions of devices could be potentially vulnerable, making this a significant concern for mobile security. The vulnerability particularly affects devices running Android operating systems where Qualcomm's proprietary drivers and middleware components are integrated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11876 require coordinated efforts between chipset manufacturers, operating system vendors, and device manufacturers. Qualcomm has released firmware updates and patches to address the buffer overflow conditions in their wireless drivers, though deployment of these patches requires cooperation from device manufacturers and timely software updates from mobile operators. Device users should ensure their systems receive the latest security updates and firmware releases from their respective manufacturers. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly within mobile device ecosystems where wireless communication protocols interact with critical system components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.