CVE-2018-5866 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
While processing logs, data is copied into a buffer pointed to by an untrusted pointer in Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear in version MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5866 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platform variants. This flaw manifests during log processing operations when the system copies data into a buffer that is referenced through an untrusted pointer, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution. The affected hardware platforms span across various Snapdragon generations including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDA660 chipsets. This widespread impact across multiple product lines indicates a fundamental design flaw in the memory management and input validation mechanisms of these mobile processors. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory operations where trusted data is copied into buffers without proper bounds checking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and remote code execution within the mobile platform's operating environment. When log processing routines encounter malformed input data, the untrusted pointer dereference can lead to memory corruption that adversaries might exploit to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. This risk is particularly concerning given that many of these platforms operate in security-sensitive environments where mobile devices serve as primary computing interfaces for enterprise and government users. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the system assumes that incoming log data can be safely processed without proper sanitization and bounds checking. From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could potentially enable adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5866 require a multi-layered approach combining firmware updates, input validation improvements, and runtime protections. Qualcomm has addressed this vulnerability through security patches targeting the affected Snapdragon platforms, emphasizing the importance of timely firmware updates for device security. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of these patches across affected device fleets, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices handle sensitive information. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention features that can help mitigate exploitation attempts even if the underlying vulnerability persists. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of robust code review processes and static analysis tools during development cycles to identify similar buffer overflow patterns in embedded systems. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, as the attack surface includes both local and remote exploitation vectors that could compromise device integrity and confidentiality.