CVE-2018-11925 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Data length received from firmware is not validated against the max allowed size which can result in buffer overflow. in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in IPQ4019, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, QCS605, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 636, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, 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 overflow flaw in Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and IoT chipsets that affects a wide range of devices including smartphones, automotive systems, and industrial networking equipment. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of data length received from firmware components, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated buffer size and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the firmware processing pathways of Qualcomm's chipsets, where data received from various firmware sources is not properly validated against maximum allowed buffer sizes. When firmware components transmit data that exceeds predetermined boundaries, the system fails to perform proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate system memory. The affected hardware platforms span multiple generations including IPQ4019, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, and various MDM and SD series chipsets, indicating a widespread exposure across Qualcomm's product portfolio.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond traditional mobile device exploitation to encompass automotive systems, industrial IoT deployments, and wired infrastructure networking equipment. Attackers could potentially leverage this buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, compromise system integrity, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms like Snapdragon Auto raises serious safety concerns, as it could potentially be exploited to manipulate vehicle control systems or access critical automotive functions. The widespread nature of affected devices means that exploitation could impact millions of users across different sectors including automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial networking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach focusing on firmware updates, runtime protections, and system hardening measures. Device manufacturers must prioritize immediate firmware patches that implement proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms. System administrators should consider implementing memory protection techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention to reduce exploitation success rates. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a buffer overflow makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through techniques described in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and code injection attacks, making comprehensive mitigation essential for protecting deployed systems across all affected platforms.