CVE-2018-11923 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper buffer length check before copying can lead to integer overflow and then a buffer overflow in WMA event handler in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, QCS605, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 636, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer management flaw in the Windows Media Audio event handler component of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, affecting a wide range of automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The issue stems from an improper buffer length check during data copying operations that can result in integer overflow conditions, ultimately leading to exploitable buffer overflow scenarios. The vulnerability impacts multiple generations of Snapdragon processors including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, QCS605, and numerous SD series processors, indicating a widespread exposure across Qualcomm's product portfolio.
The technical flaw manifests when the WMA event handler processes audio data streams without adequate validation of buffer boundaries before performing memory copy operations. When an attacker crafts malicious audio data with specifically calculated lengths, the integer overflow occurs during the buffer size calculation phase, causing the subsequent memory copy to exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This integer overflow condition, classified under CWE-190 as "Integer Overflow or Wraparound," creates a scenario where the system allocates insufficient memory space for the intended operation, making it susceptible to buffer overflow exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the hardware level within the Snapdragon chipset's firmware, making it difficult to patch through standard software updates alone.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, industrial IoT deployments, and consumer electronics. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially gaining full system control or causing denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's presence in Snapdragon Auto and Snapdragon Industrial IOT components raises serious concerns for automotive cybersecurity, as these systems could be targeted to compromise vehicle safety features or enable unauthorized access to vehicle control systems. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread adoption of these chipsets across various device manufacturers, making the exploitation potential substantial.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining firmware updates, runtime protections, and system hardening measures. Device manufacturers should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Qualcomm to address the buffer management flaw in the WMA event handler component. The implementation of stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigations can help reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and input validation controls should be strengthened to prevent malicious audio data from reaching vulnerable systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous audio processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and highlights the critical need for thorough buffer boundary checking in low-level firmware components. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as exploitation would likely involve crafting malicious audio content to trigger the buffer overflow conditions.