CVE-2018-5837 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 625, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM710, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, MAC address randomization performed during probe requests is not done properly due to a flawed RNG which produced repeating output much earlier than expected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-5837 represents a critical weakness in the random number generation mechanisms used by Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable devices. This flaw specifically affects a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6574AU, and numerous SD series processors from SD 210 through SD 850. The issue manifests in the improper implementation of MAC address randomization during probe requests, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to prevent tracking and fingerprinting of wireless devices. The vulnerability stems from a flawed random number generator that produces predictable output patterns far earlier than cryptographic standards would expect, fundamentally undermining the security assumptions that wireless network protocols rely upon for device privacy and anonymity.
The technical flaw lies in the implementation of the random number generator algorithm used for MAC address randomization during wireless probe requests. According to CWE-330, this represents a weakness in the generation of random numbers, specifically where the entropy source is insufficient or improperly seeded, leading to predictable sequences that can be exploited by attackers. The flawed RNG produces repeating output patterns that compromise the effectiveness of the privacy mechanism designed to prevent tracking of devices across different networks and time periods. This vulnerability directly impacts the security of wireless communications by making it possible for adversaries to correlate device activity across multiple networks and locations, effectively breaking the intended privacy guarantees of MAC address randomization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains of wireless security and network privacy. Devices utilizing affected Snapdragon chipsets become vulnerable to passive tracking and surveillance, as the predictable MAC address patterns allow attackers to identify and monitor specific devices over time. This tracking capability enables sophisticated surveillance operations and can be exploited for location-based attacks, device fingerprinting, and targeted advertising. The vulnerability affects automotive systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology, creating a broad attack surface where adversaries can compromise user privacy and potentially gain insights into user behavior patterns and physical locations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving reconnaissance and credential access through the exploitation of weak randomness in network protocols, potentially enabling persistent surveillance capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5837 require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the fundamental weakness in the random number generation implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating firmware and software on affected devices to patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, as these updates typically address the RNG implementation issues. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential tracking activities and correlate device behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process must consider the widespread deployment of affected chipsets across automotive systems, mobile devices, and IoT products, requiring coordinated updates across multiple vendors and device types. Security professionals should also implement network-level controls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while ensuring that any alternative MAC address randomization mechanisms are properly seeded with sufficient entropy sources to prevent similar weaknesses in future implementations.