CVE-2018-3568 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, in __wlan_hdd_cfg80211_vendor_scan(), a buffer overwrite can potentially occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3568 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Qualcomm-based mobile platforms running Android, Firefox OS, and QRD Android distributions. This flaw exists within the wireless networking subsystem of these operating systems, specifically within the __wlan_hdd_cfg80211_vendor_scan() function that handles wireless scanning operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking during the processing of vendor-specific wireless scan requests, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient boundary checks allow data to be written beyond the allocated memory space for wireless scan parameters. This function processes vendor-specific scan commands that may contain malformed or oversized data structures, particularly affecting the handling of wireless network configuration parameters. The flaw manifests when the system receives specially crafted wireless scan requests that exceed the expected buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur in kernel-mode drivers.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3568 extends beyond simple system crashes or reboots, as it provides potential attackers with a pathway to achieve privilege escalation and execute malicious code within the kernel context. Mobile devices running affected Qualcomm chipsets become vulnerable to remote exploitation through malicious wireless networks or compromised Wi-Fi infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control without requiring physical access or user interaction. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from the Android Common AOSP (CAF) using the Linux kernel, making it widespread across numerous device models and manufacturers that utilize Qualcomm's wireless networking solutions. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments and consumer devices alike, as the exploitation can occur through standard wireless network interactions without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3568 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates from device manufacturers and Qualcomm. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual wireless scan activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on vendor-specific wireless commands. The implementation of kernel-level protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and ensure timely deployment of security patches across enterprise device fleets. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation, specifically aligning with T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access and execute commands within the kernel space of affected devices.