CVE-2018-5885 : What You Need to Know

A buffer overflow vulnerability in Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear devices could be exploited by loading dynamic fonts with an excessive number of segments.

Understanding CVE-2018-5885

This CVE involves a potential buffer overflow issue in Secure UI of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear devices.

What is CVE-2018-5885?

When loading dynamic fonts, an overflow in the buffer may occur if the font file contains an excessive number of segments, impacting the security of the affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5885

The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the system by exploiting the buffer overflow in the font loading process.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5885

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises during the loading of dynamic fonts when the segment count in the font file surpasses the acceptable range, leading to a buffer overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Products: Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear
Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Versions: MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 820, SD 845

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a font file with an excessive number of segments, triggering a buffer overflow during the font loading process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5885 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor for any unusual font loading activities on the affected devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflow vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to address CVE-2018-5885 effectively.