CVE-2018-11931 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper access to HLOS is possible while transferring memory to CPZ in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music in versions MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 650/52, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, SXR1130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset family that enables improper access to the Hypervisor Level Operating System (HLOS) during memory transfer operations to the CPZ (Communication Processor Zone). The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm processors including automotive, mobile, connectivity, and IoT variants, spanning multiple generations from older MDM9150 and MDM9206 models to newer SD 835 and SD 820A processors. The flaw occurs specifically during the memory transfer process between the application processor and the communication processor zone, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the memory management subsystem of these chipsets. When transferring memory segments to the CPZ, the system fails to properly verify the integrity and authorization status of the memory operations, allowing malicious actors to potentially manipulate memory contents or gain elevated privileges within the system. This weakness aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Bypass, where insufficient access controls permit unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly amplified by the widespread deployment of affected chipsets across automotive systems, mobile devices, and IoT deployments, making it particularly concerning for supply chain security.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11931 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the HLOS environment, potentially leading to complete system takeover or unauthorized access to sensitive communications. The vulnerability's presence in automotive systems particularly raises safety concerns, as it could enable remote code execution in vehicle infotainment systems or telematics units. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, representing a critical entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to affected systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing this vulnerability in their latest chipset firmware versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to ensure timely deployment of these security updates across all affected devices. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, supply chain security measures must be strengthened to verify the integrity of firmware components and prevent the deployment of vulnerable chipsets in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management controls in embedded systems and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of automotive and IoT device ecosystems.