CVE-2017-0306 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-34132950. References: N-CVE-2017-0306.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
This critical elevation of privilege vulnerability exists within the NVIDIA GPU driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. The flaw allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries that protect the operating system from unauthorized access. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the GPU driver's kernel modules, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that could lead to complete system compromise. According to the Android security advisory A-34132950, this issue represents a severe threat to device integrity as it enables persistent malicious control over the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging specific kernel memory corruption issues within the NVIDIA GPU driver implementation. Attackers can craft malicious applications that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions in the driver's kernel space components, allowing them to manipulate kernel memory and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory management, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector that bypasses standard Android security mechanisms. The kernel-level execution context means that the malicious code operates with the same privileges as the operating system itself, potentially enabling complete system takeover.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0306 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can result in permanent device compromise that may require complete system reinstallation or reflashing to remediate. This vulnerability affects devices running Android with kernel 3.10, which was prevalent in numerous Android versions and device models from 2015-2016. The local nature of the exploit means that only applications already installed on the device need to be compromised or maliciously installed to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might unknowingly install malicious applications. The potential for persistent compromise means that once exploited, the attacker could maintain control over the device indefinitely until the system is reflashed or the vulnerability is patched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems through official Android security updates from device manufacturers. Organizations and users should ensure their devices receive the latest security patches from their respective vendors, as NVIDIA and Google released updates addressing this specific kernel-level flaw. System administrators should implement strict application installation policies and avoid sideloading applications from untrusted sources to prevent exploitation. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual kernel-level activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel security and proper memory management in mobile operating systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional kernel security features such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities.