CVE-2017-18316 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-18316, published on November 28, 2018, by Qualcomm, Inc., highlights a vulnerability in the Ontario kernel driver affecting Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear devices.

Understanding CVE-2017-18316

This CVE identifies an issue that allows secure applications to access the QSEE kernel memory in various Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

What is CVE-2017-18316?

The vulnerability in the Ontario kernel driver of Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear devices enables secure applications to gain unauthorized access to the QSEE kernel memory.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18316

This vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory, compromising the security and integrity of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18316

Qualcomm Snapdragon products are affected by this security issue, with specific details as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The Ontario kernel driver in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear versions MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDA845, SDX24, SXR1130 allows secure applications to gain access to the QSEE kernel memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear
Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Versions: MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDA845, SDX24, SXR1130

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows secure applications to bypass access controls and gain unauthorized entry into the QSEE kernel memory, potentially leading to data breaches and security compromises.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18316, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor Qualcomm's security bulletins for any new information or patches related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the firmware and software on affected devices.
Implement proper access controls and security measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Qualcomm for the affected Snapdragon products.