CVE-2018-5848 : Security Advisory and Response

Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android devices by Qualcomm are affected by a vulnerability due to improper handling of unsigned integer overflow in the 'wmi_set_ie()' function.

Understanding CVE-2018-5848

This CVE identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in various Android versions from CAF that use the Linux Kernel.

What is CVE-2018-5848?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate handling of unsigned integer overflow in the 'wmi_set_ie()' function, potentially leading to a buffer overflow in affected Android versions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5848

The vulnerability could be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on devices running the affected Android versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5848

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The 'wmi_set_ie()' function's length validation code fails to handle unsigned integer overflow correctly, allowing a buffer overflow when assigning a significant value to the 'ie_len' argument.

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 assigning a large value to the 'ie_len' argument, triggering a buffer overflow in the affected Android versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-5848, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Qualcomm or respective vendors promptly.
Monitor vendor advisories and security bulletins for updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflows.
Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches.