CVE-2018-12013 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper authentication in locked memory region can lead to unprivilged access to the memory in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MDM9655, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 636, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the memory management subsystem of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets affecting a wide range of automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The issue stems from improper authentication mechanisms within locked memory regions, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive memory areas that should remain protected. The vulnerability impacts multiple generations of Snapdragon processors including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MDM9655, QCS605, SD 210/212/205, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/415, SD 636, SD 712/710/670, SD 835, SD 845/850, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, and SXR1130 chipsets. This flaw operates at the hardware level within the memory controller and security subsystem, fundamentally undermining the trust model that these processors rely upon for secure operation. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, making it a direct violation of fundamental security principles that govern system integrity and data protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass the normal authentication procedures that should protect memory regions when the system is in a locked state. This typically occurs during device boot processes or when transitioning between different security states where memory should be protected from unauthorized access. The flaw manifests when the hardware security module fails to properly enforce authentication checks on memory regions that are intended to be locked and protected. This can enable malicious actors to read sensitive data, inject code, or manipulate system memory contents that should remain inaccessible to unprivileged operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the hardware level rather than in software, making it difficult to patch through traditional software updates and requiring more fundamental hardware-level fixes or complete device replacement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile devices. Automotive applications using Snapdragon Auto chipsets face potential risks to vehicle security systems, infotainment functionality, and safety-critical operations. Consumer devices ranging from smartphones to wearables could experience data breaches, unauthorized access to personal information, and potential compromise of device functionality. Industrial IoT applications may face supply chain security risks and operational disruptions if their embedded systems are compromised through this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these chipsets are used in hundreds of millions of devices worldwide, creating significant risk for both individual users and enterprise deployments. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1068 for local privilege escalation, T1003 for credential access, and T1547 for system service manipulation, making it a valuable target for advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining hardware-level fixes, firmware updates, and operational security measures. Qualcomm has released security patches for affected chipsets, but these often require device manufacturer cooperation and may not be available for all device models or ages. Organizations should implement strict device lifecycle management practices, including regular security assessments and timely firmware updates when available. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while secure boot processes and memory protection mechanisms should be verified for proper operation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of hardware security modules and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the device development lifecycle. Given the fundamental nature of the flaw, complete device replacement may be necessary in some cases where patches are not available or sufficient to address the vulnerability. Security teams should also consider the broader implications for supply chain security and implement robust verification processes for all hardware components used in critical systems.