CVE-2018-11935 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper input validation might result in incorrect app id returned to the caller Instead of returning failure in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile in versions MDM9607, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8996AU, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 636, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SXR1130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11935 represents a critical input validation flaw affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon processor variants across automotive, connectivity, mobile, and IoT device categories. This issue manifests when the system fails to properly validate incoming application identifiers, potentially leading to the return of incorrect application IDs to calling processes. The flaw exists within the Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, and Snapdragon Mobile product lines, specifically impacting hardware platforms including MDM9607, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8996AU, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 636, SD 675, SD 712/SD 710/SD 670, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845/SD 850, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, and SXR1130 chipsets.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the application identifier processing pipeline, creating a scenario where malformed or unexpected input data can bypass security checks and result in incorrect application context being returned. The improper input validation allows for potential manipulation of application identification flows, which could enable attackers to exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to application resources or manipulate application behavior. The flaw operates at the system level where application identifiers are processed and validated, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core system functionality rather than just individual applications. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a significant weakness in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of affected devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories and deployment scenarios, potentially affecting automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile communications infrastructure. Devices utilizing the affected Snapdragon chipsets could experience unauthorized application access, privilege escalation, or application manipulation that might compromise system integrity and security. The vulnerability's widespread presence across different processor variants suggests a fundamental flaw in the software architecture that requires comprehensive remediation across all impacted platforms. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized operations, access sensitive application data, or manipulate device functionality through carefully crafted input sequences that bypass the validation checks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11935 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms across all application identifier processing pathways within the affected Snapdragon chipsets. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating firmware and software components to address this vulnerability, particularly in automotive and industrial applications where security is paramount. The remediation process should include enhanced validation routines that properly verify application identifiers before processing, ensuring that only legitimate identifiers are accepted and processed. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide visibility into system behavior. From an operational security standpoint, organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify all affected devices and implement layered security controls. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts, suggests that exploitation might involve manipulating application contexts to gain elevated privileges. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that input validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving threats and that all affected devices receive timely security updates from Qualcomm and device manufacturers.