CVE-2018-11980 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
When a fake broadcast/multicast 11w rmf without mmie received, since no proper length check in wma_process_bip, buffer overflow will happen in both cds_is_mmie_valid and qdf_nbuf_trim_tail in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8064, APQ8096AU, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8937, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, QCA6174A, QCA6574AU, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCN7605, QCS605, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24, SDX55, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition in wireless networking stack implementations across multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The flaw manifests when processing malformed 802.11w robust management frame (RMF) broadcasts or multicast frames that lack proper MMIE (Management MIC Element) validation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the wma_process_bip function, which fails to properly check frame lengths before processing. This omission creates a condition where maliciously crafted frames can trigger memory corruption in the underlying network stack components.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a specific sequence where a crafted wireless frame bypasses initial validation checks and flows into the cds_is_mmie_valid and qdf_nbuf_trim_tail functions. These functions perform operations on buffers without proper bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The buffer overflow occurs because the system assumes valid frame structures and does not validate that the MMIE element length matches expected parameters before processing. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write classifications, representing a classic memory safety issue in network protocol processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across a broad range of devices including automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile platforms. Attackers can potentially exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the wireless subsystem, potentially leading to complete device compromise. The affected chipsets span multiple generations and use cases, from automotive infotainment systems to consumer smartphones and industrial monitoring devices. This widespread impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects numerous device types that rely on Qualcomm's wireless connectivity solutions. The exploitation could result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, or denial of service conditions that compromise device integrity and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers and implementing network-level protections such as proper frame validation and monitoring for malformed 802.11w frames. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in wireless protocol implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for potential exploitation paths. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit exposure and implement wireless intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed management frames. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust buffer management in embedded wireless systems and serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive testing for memory safety issues in network protocol stacks.