CVE-2018-18056 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been found in the Texas Instruments (TI) TM4C, MSP432E, and MSP432P microcontroller series that allows unauthorized access to code stored in protected memory.

Understanding CVE-2018-18056

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the eXecute-Only-Memory (XOM) implementation in Texas Instruments microcontrollers.

What is CVE-2018-18056?

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute specific system states and unknown instructions, observing resulting changes and potentially reverse-engineering executed instructions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18056

Exploiting this vulnerability could turn the processor into an "instruction oracle," enabling unauthorized access to protected memory.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18056

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XOM implementation in Texas Instruments microcontrollers allows unauthorized access to code stored in protected memory by executing specific system states and unknown instructions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Texas Instruments TM4C, MSP432E, and MSP432P microcontroller series
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger bus faults to access protected memory
Single-stepping and using breakpoints in XOM-protected flash memory allows execution of individual instructions

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18056 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor and restrict access to vulnerable systems
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and security patches
Conduct security audits and penetration testing

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Texas Instruments to address the vulnerability