CVE-2017-18296 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-18296, published on October 23, 2018, addresses an access control vulnerability in Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms. The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access on various Snapdragon devices.

Understanding CVE-2017-18296

This CVE entry highlights a security issue related to access control on Snapdragon platforms, potentially resulting in unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2017-18296?

The vulnerability involves the absence of access control on applications utilizing SafeSwitch services on Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear platforms.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18296

The vulnerability may allow unauthorized users to gain access to affected Snapdragon devices, compromising sensitive data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18296

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability affecting Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of access control mechanisms during the utilization of SafeSwitch services on the affected Snapdragon platforms.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear
Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Versions: MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SDA660, SDX20

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability by bypassing access control measures on applications utilizing SafeSwitch services, potentially gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18296 and enhance system security, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Implement access control mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access control configurations.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of access control best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm.
Ensure timely installation of patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.