CVE-2018-5883 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WLAN driver event handlers due to improper validation of array index in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music in MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCS405, QCS605, SD 636, SD 675, SD 730, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 855, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset families used in automotive, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, mobile, and voice/music applications. The flaw exists within the wireless local area network driver event handlers where insufficient validation of array indices creates opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of hardware platforms including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCS405, QCS605, SD 636, SD 675, SD 730, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 855, SDA660, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, and SDX24 chipsets. The buffer overflow occurs when the WLAN driver processes incoming events without proper bounds checking on array access operations, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where data is written to a buffer beyond its allocated size, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The operational impact is severe as attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to device functionality, cause denial of service conditions, or execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive applications where the Snapdragon Auto platform is used, as it could potentially compromise vehicle safety systems. Attackers exploiting this flaw could manipulate wireless communication protocols, disrupt network connectivity, or gain persistent access to affected devices. The flaw is especially dangerous because it affects both mobile and industrial IoT applications, where wireless connectivity is fundamental to device operation and security. Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of memory protection mechanisms, and runtime monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in embedded systems and highlights the need for robust security testing throughout the development lifecycle of automotive and IoT platforms. This flaw represents a significant risk to connected vehicle ecosystems and IoT deployments where wireless communication is essential for proper operation.