CVE-2018-3566 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android by Qualcomm are affected by a buffer overwrite vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

Understanding CVE-2018-3566

This CVE involves a potential buffer overwrite vulnerability in Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android when using any Android release from CAF running on the Linux kernel.

What is CVE-2018-3566?

This vulnerability arises from a missing length check in the ProcSetReqInternal() function.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3566

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger a buffer overwrite, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3566

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android occurs in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel before the security patch level of 2018-04-05 due to a missing length check in ProcSetReqInternal().

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 vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to overwrite buffers, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security patch level of 2018-04-05 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor security bulletins for updates and patches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches provided by Qualcomm and relevant vendors to address known vulnerabilities.