CVE-2018-11276 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android from Qualcomm are affected by a memory allocation vulnerability in the Kernel that can lead to a double free scenario.

Understanding CVE-2018-11276

This CVE involves a double free issue in the Kernel of certain Android releases, potentially leading to memory corruption.

What is CVE-2018-11276?

The vulnerability arises when the Kernel attempts to explicitly free memory on driver probe failure, even though the allocated memory is already automatically freed during the probe process.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11276

The double free scenario can result in memory corruption and potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11276

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs in Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, where a double free of memory allocation can occur in the Kernel during driver probe failure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android
Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Versions: All Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or trigger a denial of service by manipulating the double free scenario.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-11276 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Qualcomm or relevant vendors promptly to address the vulnerability.
Monitor security bulletins and updates from trusted sources for mitigation guidance.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address similar issues proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update the affected systems with the latest patches and security updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.