CVE-2018-13887 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted header fields in GNSS XTRA3 function can lead to integer overflow in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 600, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SM7150, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13887 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the GNSS XTRA3 function of various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset families. This flaw exists in automotive, mobile, and IoT device processors including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, and numerous other models spanning the SD series and SDA660 platforms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of header fields in the Global Navigation Satellite System Extended Temporary Raw Almanac data processing function, which is essential for location services in mobile devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when untrusted header data is processed through the XTRA3 function without proper bounds checking or integer overflow protection mechanisms. This allows an attacker to craft malicious header values that, when parsed by the vulnerable chipset, can cause arithmetic operations to exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type, leading to unexpected behavior. The flaw specifically affects the handling of satellite data that is crucial for accurate positioning services in devices relying on GNSS receivers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for devices using affected Qualcomm chipsets, particularly those in automotive applications where precise location data is critical. The integer overflow could potentially lead to denial of service conditions, system instability, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation and memory layout of the affected systems. The widespread deployment of these chipsets across multiple device categories including smartphones, automotive systems, industrial IoT devices, and wearable technology amplifies the potential impact.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. This flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as exploitation might involve crafting malicious header data through scripting mechanisms that could be processed by the affected systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, network-based filtering of suspicious GNSS data, and monitoring for abnormal system behavior indicative of integer overflow conditions. The vulnerability affects a broad range of devices from consumer smartphones to industrial automation systems, making comprehensive patch management essential for maintaining operational security across all affected platforms.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through network-based attacks targeting the GNSS data processing functionality. Device manufacturers and system integrators must prioritize deployment of security patches that include proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms. Additionally, network operators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous GNSS header data patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. The widespread nature of affected chipsets means that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to global mobile and IoT infrastructure, requiring coordinated remediation efforts across multiple device categories and manufacturers.