CVE-2018-11818 : Security Advisory and Response

A race condition vulnerability affecting Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android from Qualcomm can lead to issues when updating lookup table (LUT) registers.

Understanding CVE-2018-11818

This CVE involves a race condition triggered by simultaneous updates to LUT registers by kernel drivers and userspace configurations.

What is CVE-2018-11818?

This vulnerability occurs in Android releases from CAF that use the Linux kernel. It arises when kernel drivers update LUT registers while userspace configures LUT via ioctl, potentially causing race conditions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11818

The vulnerability can be exploited to cause race conditions, potentially leading to system instability, crashes, or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11818

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from simultaneous updates to LUT registers by kernel drivers and userspace configurations, creating a race condition.

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

The issue arises when userspace configures LUT via ioctl while kernel drivers are updating LUT registers, leading to a race condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-11818 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Qualcomm promptly to address the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the race condition.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to reduce the likelihood of race conditions and other vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to address CVE-2018-11818.