CVE-2018-3566 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel before security patch level 2018-04-05, a buffer overwrite may occur in ProcSetReqInternal() due to missing length check.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3566 represents a critical buffer overread condition affecting Qualcomm-based mobile platforms running Android, Firefox OS, and QRD Android variants. This flaw exists within the Linux kernel implementation used by these devices, specifically in the ProcSetReqInternal() function that handles process request operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and length checking mechanisms, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted input data can exceed the allocated buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel-level memory management functions that process system requests from user-space applications. When the ProcSetReqInternal() function receives input parameters without proper validation of their length against allocated buffer sizes, it proceeds to copy data into memory locations that may not accommodate the full extent of incoming information. This missing length check creates a predictable memory corruption vector that can be exploited through carefully constructed input sequences. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write operations that occur when a buffer is accessed beyond its allocated boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within kernel space or manipulate system behavior in ways that compromise device security. Attackers can leverage this condition to gain elevated privileges, bypass security mechanisms, or cause system instability through controlled memory corruption. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from the Common Android Framework (CAF) that utilize the Linux kernel and remain unpatched before the security patch level of April 5, 2018, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a wide range of Qualcomm-powered devices across multiple operating system variants. This includes smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that rely on Qualcomm's MSM (Mobile Services Module) processors and associated kernel implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3566 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released in the April 2018 update cycle. Organizations and device users must ensure immediate deployment of the Qualcomm security patches addressing this specific buffer overread condition in the kernel's process request handling mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious process request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though such detection remains challenging due to the kernel-level nature of the vulnerability. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date system firmware to prevent exploitation of known kernel vulnerabilities. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional input validation layers in their custom kernel modifications to provide defense-in-depth against similar buffer overread conditions that may not be fully addressed by the vendor patches alone.