CVE-2018-11945 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper input validation in wireless service messaging module for data received from broadcast messages can lead to heap overflow in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in versions MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, 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 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, SXR1130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11945 represents a critical heap overflow condition within the wireless service messaging module of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This flaw exists in the processing of data received from broadcast messages, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and IoT platforms, spanning multiple generations from early 2010s to 2018 hardware releases. The impacted devices include automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT deployments, and wearable technology platforms, making this a widespread concern across multiple industry sectors. The heap overflow condition occurs when the system fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming broadcast messages, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory allocation patterns and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental flaw in input validation mechanisms within the wireless service messaging module. When broadcast messages are received and processed, the system does not adequately check message boundaries or validate data integrity before allocating heap memory. This allows an attacker to craft specially formatted broadcast messages that exceed expected buffer sizes, causing memory corruption in the heap allocation space. The vulnerability manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The attack vector involves sending malicious broadcast messages to vulnerable devices, which then process these messages without proper bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11945 extends across multiple domains including automotive safety systems, mobile device security, and industrial IoT deployments. Automotive platforms using Snapdragon Auto chipsets could be vulnerable to attacks that compromise vehicle communication systems, potentially affecting safety-critical functions. Mobile devices and wearables running on affected Snapdragon processors face risks of unauthorized code execution and system compromise through broadcast message manipulation. Industrial IoT deployments utilizing Snapdragon Consumer IOT and Industrial IOT platforms could experience service disruption or unauthorized access to connected systems. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and automotive platforms aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the device's operating environment. The widespread adoption of affected Snapdragon chipsets across multiple device categories means that this vulnerability could potentially impact thousands of connected devices globally.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11945 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and end users. Qualcomm has released security patches addressing this vulnerability through their regular security updates, which should be deployed immediately on affected devices. Device manufacturers must implement proper input validation mechanisms within their wireless service messaging modules to prevent buffer overflows during broadcast message processing. The implementation of address space layout randomization ASLR and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious broadcast traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should implement proper memory safety checks and bounds validation in wireless communication modules. The vulnerability's classification as a heap overflow under CWE-121 and its potential for privilege escalation aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0004 - Privilege Escalation, making it a critical concern for system security. Organizations should prioritize patch management programs to ensure all affected devices receive timely security updates, particularly in automotive and industrial environments where device uptime and security are critical.