CVE-2018-11984 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, A use after free condition and an out-of-bounds access can occur in the DIAG driver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11984 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Android variants including those based on Linux kernel implementations from Qualcomm Automotive Framework and Firefox OS for MSM platforms. This issue manifests within the DIAG driver component which serves as a diagnostic interface for communication between Android systems and external diagnostic tools. The flaw exists across various Android releases and QRD Android implementations, making it particularly concerning for widespread device populations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves two distinct but related memory corruption conditions that occur simultaneously within the DIAG driver subsystem. The primary issue is a use-after-free condition that arises when the driver fails to properly validate memory references after objects have been freed from memory. This creates an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate freed memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code. Additionally, an out-of-bounds access vulnerability exists that allows for unauthorized memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. These combined conditions create a particularly dangerous attack surface where an attacker could leverage the use-after-free scenario to corrupt memory structures and then utilize the out-of-bounds access to manipulate critical system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to device security and integrity as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The DIAG driver typically operates with elevated privileges due to its diagnostic nature, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The widespread adoption of affected Android variants across various device types and manufacturers amplifies the potential impact, as these vulnerabilities could affect smartphones, tablets, automotive infotainment systems, and other connected devices that rely on the affected kernel implementations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read/write operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code within system processes. The exploitation of such flaws typically follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain access to system resources. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment from device manufacturers and kernel maintainers to address the memory management flaws in the DIAG driver. Additionally, runtime protections including kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be implemented to reduce exploitability. Regular security audits of kernel drivers and implementation of robust input validation mechanisms are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future releases. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing firmware-level protections and monitoring for anomalous diagnostic communication patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.