CVE-2018-13897 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Clients hostname gets added to DNS record on device which is running dnsmasq resulting in an information exposure in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, QCS605, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 636, SD 650/52, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 730, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 855, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2020
This vulnerability involves a critical information exposure flaw in the dnsmasq implementation across multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon device families. The issue occurs when client hostnames are automatically added to DNS records on devices running dnsmasq, creating an unintended data leakage mechanism that exposes sensitive network information. The vulnerability affects a broad range of automotive, connectivity, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, and mobile device platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's product portfolio. This represents a fundamental breakdown in network privacy controls where device behavior inadvertently reveals client information through DNS record modifications.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the dnsmasq service implementation. When devices receive DHCP requests containing client hostnames, the system automatically incorporates these identifiers into DNS records without adequate security screening. This process bypasses normal access controls and privacy considerations, allowing any connected client to potentially influence the DNS database with their hostname information. The vulnerability operates at the network infrastructure level, where the device acts as a DNS server and automatically maintains records without proper authorization checks. This aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure vulnerabilities, and represents a classic case of insufficient data sanitization in network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable advanced persistent threats and reconnaissance activities. Attackers could leverage this flaw to map network topology, identify connected devices, and gather intelligence about client infrastructure. The vulnerability affects devices that operate in critical infrastructure environments including automotive systems, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile networks where such information exposure could lead to targeted attacks. Mobile device users may experience privacy implications as their device hostname information becomes accessible through the DNS record system. This vulnerability particularly impacts the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance and credential access phases, enabling adversaries to gather intelligence about network clients and potentially plan more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should implement hostname validation controls that filter or sanitize incoming hostnames before DNS record creation. Network administrators should configure dnsmasq with strict access controls and monitoring capabilities to detect unauthorized DNS modifications. The implementation of proper access controls and audit logging around DNS record modifications would help identify suspicious activities. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be deployed to limit access to DNS services. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components and ensure proper patch management across all affected Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and input validation in network services, particularly in embedded systems where such flaws can have far-reaching implications across multiple device categories.