CVE-2018-5894 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Improper Validation of Array Index in Multimedia While parsing an mp4 file in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear, an out-of-bounds access can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5894 represents a critical security flaw in the multimedia processing capabilities of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable platforms. This issue manifests during the parsing of mp4 files through the multimedia framework, where insufficient validation of array indices creates a pathway for unauthorized memory access patterns. The flaw specifically affects systems that utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets, which are prevalent in automotive infotainment systems, smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. The improper validation occurs within the multimedia processing pipeline where the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated arrays, potentially leading to system instability or exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper boundary checking mechanisms within the mp4 file parser implementation. When processing mp4 container files, the system reads metadata and structural information to determine how to properly decode and render multimedia content. However, the array index validation logic fails to properly verify that requested indices fall within acceptable ranges before accessing memory locations. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft specially malformed mp4 files that trigger out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-129 as "Improper Validation of Array Index" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" when considering the potential for malicious code execution through media processing. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where array bounds are not properly enforced during data parsing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5894 extends across multiple device categories that rely on Snapdragon chipsets, creating significant security risks for automotive systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology. In automotive applications, this vulnerability could potentially be exploited to compromise vehicle infotainment systems, affecting safety-critical functions or providing attackers with unauthorized access to vehicle networks. Mobile device users face risks of arbitrary code execution when viewing maliciously crafted mp4 files, which could lead to complete device compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects a broad range of devices including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and automotive systems that utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious code remotely through compromised media files, potentially gaining persistent access to affected systems. The widespread adoption of Snapdragon chipsets across various device categories amplifies the potential attack surface and impact of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5894 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and end users. Qualcomm has released firmware updates and patches addressing the specific array validation issues within their multimedia processing libraries. Device manufacturers should prioritize deploying these security updates across affected Snapdragon-based systems, particularly automotive platforms where safety implications are most severe. Users should ensure their devices receive the latest security patches from manufacturers and avoid opening untrusted mp4 files from unknown sources. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to prevent malicious media files from entering corporate networks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in multimedia processing frameworks and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of media libraries. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and file parsing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Snapdragon chipsets and implement appropriate access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious media content.