CVE-2018-11897 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, while processing diag event after associating to a network out of bounds read occurs if ssid of the network joined is greater than max limit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
This vulnerability exists in Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel from Code Aurora Forum across multiple product lines including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android. The flaw manifests during the processing of diagnostic events when a device connects to a network with an SSID exceeding the defined maximum limit. The out-of-bounds read condition represents a critical memory safety issue that can potentially allow attackers to access unauthorized memory regions and extract sensitive information from the device's memory space. The vulnerability specifically occurs in the network association handling code where diagnostic events are processed, creating a pathway for memory corruption that could be exploited by malicious actors. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or potential privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability occurs during normal network association procedures, making it accessible through standard device operations. The root cause stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing SSID data during network connection events, where the system fails to validate that the SSID length does not exceed predefined limits before proceeding with memory operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to gather sensitive system information including memory contents, network configuration details, or even credentials stored in adjacent memory regions. When a device connects to a network with an oversized SSID, the diagnostic processing code attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for data leakage that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through command injection or memory corruption techniques. The flaw represents a classic buffer over-read scenario that can be triggered by manipulating network connection parameters, particularly when connecting to rogue networks or when network management systems send malformed SSID data. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF and can be exploited without requiring special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal device usage patterns. Attackers could potentially craft malicious networks with oversized SSIDs to trigger the vulnerability and extract information from the device's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of bounds checking mechanisms within the network diagnostic processing code to validate SSID length limits before memory operations occur. Device manufacturers should implement input validation for all network parameters including SSID data, ensuring that buffer sizes are properly enforced and that memory operations are constrained to valid boundaries. The fix should involve modifying the diagnostic event processing code to reject or truncate SSID data that exceeds maximum allowable length limits, preventing the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring. System updates should include enhanced memory safety checks that validate all network association parameters before proceeding with diagnostic processing. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect and alert on unusual SSID patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of network handling code should be conducted to identify similar bounds checking vulnerabilities, particularly in code sections that process user-supplied network configuration data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying defensive programming practices and adhering to secure coding guidelines that prevent memory safety issues in embedded systems and mobile platforms. Device security teams should prioritize patch deployment and ensure that all affected Android implementations receive timely updates to address this memory corruption vulnerability.