CVE-2018-13918 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
kernel could return a received message length higher than expected, which leads to buffer overflow in a subsequent operation and stops normal operation in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables, in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 425, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 625, SD 632, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SDM439, SDX24, SM7150
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2020
This vulnerability resides in the kernel implementation of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets where a message length validation flaw allows the kernel to return a received message length that exceeds the expected buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the kernel processes incoming messages through its communication protocols, specifically affecting the message handling subsystem that manages data transmission between different components within the device's architecture. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking during message length verification, creating a scenario where the kernel incorrectly calculates or reports message sizes that exceed allocated buffer capacity. This fundamental validation error represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited to disrupt normal system operations and potentially enable further attack vectors. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of Qualcomm processors including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 425, SD 439/SD 429, SD 450, SD 625, SD 632, SD 675, SD 712/SD 710/SD 670, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845/SD 850, SD 855, SDM439, SDX24, and SM7150 chipsets, indicating a widespread impact across Snapdragon automotive, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, mobile, and wearable platforms. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the kernel's message processing routine fails to properly validate the actual message length against the expected buffer size, leading to a situation where data written beyond the intended buffer boundaries causes memory corruption. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of the length of a buffer, and can be classified under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can cause system instability, application crashes, and potentially complete system shutdowns. When the kernel encounters a message with an unexpectedly large length, the subsequent buffer operations fail, leading to memory corruption that can affect critical system functions. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in denial of service conditions where normal device operation ceases, and in more severe cases, could enable privilege escalation or code execution depending on the specific implementation details and system configuration. The affected chipsets span across various market segments including automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial devices, mobile platforms, and wearable technology, indicating that the vulnerability could impact a wide range of connected devices and systems. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves command and control through system commands, and potentially T1489, which involves system shutdown/reboot to disrupt operations. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly concerning for automotive applications where system stability and reliability are paramount, as well as for IoT devices where device availability and continuous operation are critical requirements. Mitigation strategies should include kernel updates and patches from Qualcomm that implement proper message length validation, along with runtime monitoring and bounds checking mechanisms to detect and prevent buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors, while system administrators should monitor for unusual system behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and buffer management in kernel-level code, particularly in embedded systems where memory constraints and real-time processing requirements can complicate security implementation. Regular security assessments and firmware updates are essential to maintain system integrity and protect against similar vulnerabilities that could arise from insufficient bounds checking in communication protocols and message handling routines.