CVE-2018-14852 in Galaxy S6
Summary
by MITRE
Out-of-bounds array access in dhd_rx_frame in drivers/net/wireless/bcmdhd4358/dhd_linux.c in the bcmdhd4358 Wi-Fi driver on the Samsung Galaxy S6 SM-G920F G920FXXU5EQH7 allows an attacker (who has obtained code execution on the Wi-Fi chip) to cause invalid accesses to operating system memory due to improper validation of the network interface index provided by the Wi-Fi chip's firmware.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-14852 represents a critical out-of-bounds array access flaw in the bcmdhd4358 Wi-Fi driver component of Samsung Galaxy S6 devices, specifically affecting the SM-G920F model running firmware version G920FXXU5EQH7. This issue resides within the dhd_rx_frame function located in drivers/net/wireless/bcmdhd4358/dhd_linux.c, where the driver fails to properly validate network interface index values provided by the Wi-Fi chip's firmware. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted network packets to trigger memory access violations, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first achieve code execution on the Wi-Fi chip itself, which represents a sophisticated attack vector typically associated with advanced persistent threats or zero-day exploits. The flaw manifests when the driver receives network interface index values from the firmware that exceed the bounds of pre-allocated array structures, causing invalid memory accesses that can corrupt system memory or trigger privilege escalation conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of array indices, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of privilege escalation vulnerabilities through kernel-level memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions, as it creates potential pathways for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. When the Wi-Fi chip firmware provides malformed interface index values, the kernel driver's insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption that could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This represents a significant security risk for mobile devices, as the Samsung Galaxy S6 platform would be susceptible to attacks that could compromise the entire device operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the wireless driver component, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard user-space security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14852 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Device manufacturers must implement firmware updates that correct the array validation logic within the dhd_rx_frame function, ensuring that all network interface index values are properly validated before array access operations. Security researchers recommend implementing bounds checking mechanisms that verify interface index values against predefined array limits, along with proper input sanitization of firmware-provided data. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect anomalous Wi-Fi traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments of wireless driver components. Additionally, mobile device security frameworks should incorporate runtime integrity checks that monitor for memory corruption patterns consistent with this type of vulnerability, as outlined in industry best practices for kernel security hardening.