CVE-2018-11838 : Security Advisory and Response

Snapdragon platforms by Qualcomm are affected by a potential double free issue in the WLAN function due to a lack of memory free condition check.

Understanding CVE-2018-11838

What is CVE-2018-11838?

The CVE-2018-11838 vulnerability involves a double free issue in the WLAN function of various Snapdragon platforms, including Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, and Voice & Music.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11838

The absence of a check for the memory free condition can lead to exploitation by malicious actors, potentially resulting in system crashes, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11838

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a lack of validation for memory free conditions in the WLAN function of affected Snapdragon platforms.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Products: Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music
Affected Versions: APQ8053, MDM9640, SDA660, SDM636, SDM660, SDX20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by triggering the double free issue in the WLAN function, potentially leading to system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Qualcomm to address the double free issue promptly.
Monitor vendor communications for updates and security advisories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and patches released by Qualcomm.
Ensure timely deployment of patches to secure affected systems.