CVE-2018-11934 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation while processing DO_ACS vendor command in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6174A, QCA6574AU, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 636, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820A, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write condition that occurs during processing of DO_ACS vendor commands within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and consumer connectivity chipsets. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify the length and content of incoming command parameters before writing data to memory locations. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, and numerous other models across automotive, mobile, and IoT product lines. The DO_ACS vendor command interface serves as a communication channel for device management and configuration operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through legitimate device management protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes the underlying architecture to potential memory corruption attacks that could result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. When processing vendor commands, the affected systems fail to validate the boundaries of input data against predetermined buffer sizes, allowing malicious actors to write data beyond allocated memory regions. This misconfiguration creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical system memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact spans multiple generations of Qualcomm chipsets, indicating a fundamental flaw in the command processing logic rather than a localized implementation error. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which is categorized under the broader weakness of improper input validation and buffer management.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-11934 extend beyond simple memory corruption to encompass significant security risks in automotive and industrial environments where these chipsets are deployed. In automotive applications, this vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise vehicle infotainment systems, telematics units, or even critical safety systems through supply chain attacks or remote exploitation. The widespread deployment of affected chipsets across multiple product lines means that this vulnerability affects numerous connected devices including smartphones, tablets, automotive systems, industrial IoT equipment, and consumer electronics. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code with elevated privileges, access sensitive device data, or disrupt normal device operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, highlighting the potential for persistent access and system control.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and chipset vendors to address the input validation gaps in the DO_ACS command processing logic. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks or users. The vulnerability's nature suggests that runtime protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection features should be enabled to reduce exploitability. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional input validation layers at multiple protocol levels to prevent similar issues in future implementations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any additional command processing interfaces that may be susceptible to similar out-of-bounds write conditions. Organizations deploying affected chipsets should maintain close communication with Qualcomm and their device vendors to ensure timely patch deployment and monitor for any related security advisories or exploit developments that may emerge in the cybersecurity landscape.