CVE-2018-3592 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, added a change to check if the pointer has been reset to NULL or not, before writing to the memory pointed by the pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3592 represents a critical memory management flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable processors across multiple device models. This issue resides within the Android operating system's kernel-level memory handling mechanisms, specifically within the Qualcomm Snapdragon MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 chipsets. The vulnerability stems from inadequate null pointer validation during memory operations, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution and system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to properly validate pointer states before memory write operations, which constitutes a classic implementation weakness categorized under CWE-476. This vulnerability specifically affects the memory management subsystem where a pointer that has been reset to NULL is still being dereferenced for write operations. The issue occurs during the security patch level 2018-04-05 timeframe, indicating that Qualcomm and Google had already identified the problem and implemented a fix, yet devices running older firmware versions remained vulnerable. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate memory pointers in a way that bypasses normal safety checks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, representing a significant threat to device security and user privacy. Attackers could exploit this weakness to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, bypassing device security measures, or even installing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon-based devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts multiple device categories and manufacturers. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1059, covering 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3592 primarily focus on immediate firmware updates and system patching, as recommended by the Qualcomm Security Response Team and Google's Android Security Team. Device users should ensure their systems are updated to security patch level 2018-04-05 or later, which includes the necessary null pointer validation checks. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to track and update vulnerable devices, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple Snapdragon-based devices may be in use. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and highlights the critical need for thorough code review processes, particularly in kernel-level components where memory safety is paramount. Network administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the attack surface is broad due to the widespread adoption of affected Snapdragon chipsets across multiple device manufacturers.