CVE-2018-5824 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, while processing HTT_T2H_MSG_TYPE_RX_FLUSH or HTT_T2H_MSG_TYPE_RX_PN_IND messages, a buffer overflow can occur if the tid value obtained from the firmware is out of range.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm's Android implementations across multiple platforms including MSM devices, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The flaw resides within the Linux kernel components that handle wireless communication protocols, specifically in the handling of HTT_T2H_MSG_TYPE_RX_FLUSH and HTT_T2H_MSG_TYPE_RX_PN_IND messages. These messages are part of the wireless driver's communication stack and are used to manage receive flush operations and packet number indicators respectively. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes these specific message types and encounters an invalid tid value from the firmware, leading to a buffer overflow condition that can compromise system stability and security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the wireless driver subsystem. When processing the HTT_T2H messages, the system fails to properly validate the tid (traffic identifier) values received from the firmware before using them to index into buffer structures. This allows an attacker to manipulate the tid value to point beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption. The buffer overflow occurs because the system does not perform proper bounds checking on the tid value, which can be set to an out-of-range value by malicious firmware or through exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the wireless stack. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient validation of externally-provided data within kernel space operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to system crashes, denial of service conditions, and potentially arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. An attacker who can control the firmware or manipulate wireless communications can exploit this vulnerability to cause unpredictable behavior in the device. The buffer overflow could result in memory corruption that might be leveraged to escalate privileges or execute malicious code with kernel-level access. This vulnerability affects all Android releases from the Common Android Framework (CAF) using the Linux kernel before the security patch level of April 5, 2018, meaning devices that have not received the corresponding security updates remain at risk. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the wireless driver layer, which is essential for device connectivity and communication functions, making it a prime target for exploitation in mobile device attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users should ensure that all affected devices receive the security update corresponding to the 2018-04-05 patch level or later. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though the specific attack vectors would likely require either physical access to the device or the ability to manipulate firmware updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel space drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of wireless communication stacks. Device manufacturers should implement additional runtime checks and bounds verification in their wireless driver implementations to prevent similar issues in future releases. This vulnerability also underscores the ATT&CK technique of privilege escalation through kernel exploits and represents a potential entry point for adversaries seeking persistent access to mobile devices through wireless communication channels.