CVE-2018-3587 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In a firmware memory dump feature in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android), a Use After Free condition can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3587 represents a critical memory safety issue within the firmware memory dump functionality of Android-based systems developed by Qualcomm Atheros. This flaw exists across multiple Android variants including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded platform implementations. The vulnerability manifests as a use after free condition, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential pathways for malicious exploitation and system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Linux kernel components that handle firmware memory dumps. When the system attempts to process firmware memory information, the kernel fails to properly validate memory references before accessing previously freed memory regions. This condition allows attackers to potentially manipulate the memory state and execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists at the kernel level, providing attackers with deep system access that could bypass standard security boundaries. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic use after free vulnerability (CWE-416) that falls under the broader category of memory safety issues affecting operating system kernels.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3587 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the kernel space, enabling them to access sensitive system resources, modify critical firmware components, or establish persistent backdoors. The memory dump functionality typically operates with high privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to extract confidential information from memory or corrupt firmware images that are essential for system operation. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when exploited by threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within the core kernel components that cannot be patched through standard operating system updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes deploying firmware-level patches that properly validate memory references before access, implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, and utilizing memory safety features like address space layout randomization. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all Qualcomm-based systems and consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous memory management practices in embedded systems and demonstrates the critical need for continuous security auditing of kernel components in mobile operating systems.