CVE-2017-0307 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-3.18. Android ID: A-33177895. References: N-CVE-2017-0307.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0307 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within NVIDIA's GPU driver implementation for Android devices running kernel version 3.18. This security weakness allows a locally malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions, fundamentally compromising the system's security model. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the GPU driver component, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects Android devices where the NVIDIA GPU driver is utilized, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of NVIDIA graphics processors in mobile devices. The critical rating assigned to this vulnerability reflects the severe implications of successful exploitation, as it could enable attackers to gain persistent control over the device and potentially render the system unusable without complete reinstallation of the operating system.
The technical root cause of CVE-2017-0307 lies in the improper handling of user-space inputs within the GPU driver's kernel components. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the GPU driver through specific system calls or memory operations, the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters before processing them. This validation gap creates an opportunity for attackers to craft specially crafted inputs that trigger buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions within the kernel space. The vulnerability specifically affects the GPU driver's communication mechanisms between user-space applications and kernel-space driver components, where insufficient access control checks allow unauthorized privilege escalation. This flaw aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper access control and memory safety issues in kernel drivers, and represents a classic example of how driver-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain kernel-level privileges. The exploitation process typically involves leveraging the driver's interface to manipulate kernel memory structures or execute code through carefully crafted GPU operations that bypass normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0307 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel space and potentially the entire system. Once an attacker gains kernel-level privileges through this vulnerability, they can manipulate system memory, modify critical system files, install rootkits, and access all device data without restriction. The permanent device compromise aspect of this vulnerability means that even after device reboot, the malicious code could persist and maintain control over the system. This level of compromise requires extensive system recovery measures including complete OS reinstallation or device reflashing, making it particularly damaging for users and organizations. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that it can be exploited by locally installed malicious applications, meaning that users may unknowingly install compromised applications that exploit this weakness. The Android platform's security model relies heavily on proper isolation between applications and system components, and this vulnerability undermines that fundamental security principle by allowing a malicious app to break through these isolation barriers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0307 primarily focus on addressing the underlying driver implementation issues and implementing additional security controls. The most effective approach involves updating to patched versions of the NVIDIA GPU driver that properly validate inputs and implement appropriate access controls within kernel components. Android device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize the deployment of security updates that address this specific vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation remains high for unpatched devices. System administrators and security professionals should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious GPU driver activity and potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation process should include verifying driver signatures and ensuring that only trusted GPU drivers are installed on devices. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used to establish persistent access to target systems, making it a significant concern for defensive security teams who must monitor for indicators of compromise related to kernel-level attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel driver security and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers before deployment.