CVE-2017-0327 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the NVIDIA crypto driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel 3.10. Android ID: A-33893669. References: N-CVE-2017-0327.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0327 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the NVIDIA cryptographic driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. This issue resides in the kernel-level crypto driver implementation and specifically affects devices that utilize NVIDIA's hardware security modules. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, which then provides the attacker with the necessary foothold to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code at the kernel level. The Android ID A-33893669 further contextualizes this issue within the Android security framework, indicating it was properly tracked and addressed through Google's security reporting mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of cryptographic operations within the NVIDIA driver, where insufficient input validation and inadequate privilege checks allow malicious code to exploit a kernel-level vulnerability. This vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic driver's interface with the kernel, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged by local applications that have already gained some level of system access. The flaw likely involves improper memory management or privilege boundary enforcement during cryptographic operations, allowing an attacker to manipulate kernel data structures or execute code with elevated privileges. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and potentially CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" if the flaw involves memory corruption during cryptographic processing. The attack vector requires local execution and typically involves a malicious application that has already compromised a privileged process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such applications might be present.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0327 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can bypass all standard Android security mechanisms, including SELinux policies, application sandboxing, and other protective measures. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor to the entire system, allowing attackers to modify system files, install persistent malware, monitor user activities, and access encrypted data that was previously protected by the cryptographic subsystem. The implications are particularly severe for mobile devices where users store sensitive personal information, corporate data, and financial records. The vulnerability's presence in kernel 3.10 versions indicates it affected a substantial portion of Android devices released between 2013 and 2016, potentially exposing millions of users to risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0327 primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches released by NVIDIA and Google, which typically include kernel updates and driver modifications that address the privilege escalation mechanism. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across affected devices, particularly those running Android versions that incorporate kernel 3.10. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts, though such measures may not prevent successful attacks. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact if a device becomes compromised, while maintaining regular security audits to ensure proper patch management. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers would need to leverage the elevated privileges to execute additional malicious code. The vulnerability also aligns with T1543: "Create or Modify System Process" since successful exploitation would allow attackers to modify system processes or create persistent backdoors within the kernel. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional security measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult, though the primary defense remains timely patch deployment.