CVE-2018-5842 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A possible scenario can take place where a compromised WLAN firmware transmits false information to the WLAN driver in various Android versions developed by CAF (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) that rely on the Linux Kernel.

Understanding CVE-2018-5842

An arbitrary address write can occur if a compromised WLAN firmware sends incorrect data to WLAN driver in all Android releases from CAF (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) using the Linux Kernel.

What is CVE-2018-5842?

This CVE describes a vulnerability where a compromised WLAN firmware can send false information to the WLAN driver in Android versions developed by CAF, potentially leading to arbitrary address writes.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5842

The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by transmitting incorrect data to the WLAN driver.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5842

Vulnerability Description

The issue involves a buffer copy without checking the size of input in WLAN, enabling potential arbitrary address writes.

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 sending incorrect data from a compromised WLAN firmware to the WLAN driver, triggering arbitrary address writes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Qualcomm or the respective vendors promptly.
Monitor security bulletins for updates and advisories related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches from Qualcomm or the relevant vendors.