CVE-2018-5914 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Improper input validation in TZ led to array out of bound in TZ function while accessing the peripheral details using the incoming data in Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear version MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, SDA660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5914 represents a critical improper input validation flaw within the TrustZone (TZ) component of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms. This issue manifests as an array out of bounds condition during peripheral detail access operations, specifically when processing incoming data within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability affects multiple Snapdragon SoC generations including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, and SDA660 platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's mobile processor portfolio.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate validation of input data within the TrustZone function responsible for accessing peripheral details. When malicious or malformed data is processed, the system fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to memory corruption that can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the secure world environment. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level secure processing components where peripheral communication occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it operates in a trusted execution context. The flaw is classified under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly maps to the unauthorized memory access pattern described in the vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can be leveraged to compromise the integrity of the secure execution environment that protects sensitive operations such as cryptographic key handling, biometric authentication, and secure boot processes. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the TrustZone, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that the secure world provides. The vulnerability affects devices running various Snapdragon platforms, creating a broad attack surface that includes smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices that rely on Qualcomm's secure processing capabilities for their security features.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the TrustZone components, particularly around peripheral data processing functions. System updates and patches from device manufacturers are essential to address this vulnerability, as Qualcomm has released security updates to correct the improper bounds checking. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries within the secure world execution environment can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious peripheral access patterns and implement strict input sanitization for all data processed within secure contexts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privileges, and demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in trusted execution environments. The security implications extend to potential compromise of device encryption keys, biometric data, and other sensitive information stored in secure memory regions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise and government deployments relying on Qualcomm-based mobile platforms for security-sensitive operations.