CVE-2017-0334 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to access sensitive data without explicit user permission. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33245849. References: N-CVE-2017-0334.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0334 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within NVIDIA GPU drivers operating on Android devices running kernel version 3.18. This security weakness manifests as a privilege escalation vector that allows local malicious applications to bypass normal access controls and retrieve data that should remain restricted to higher privilege levels. The issue stems from improper memory management and access control mechanisms within the graphics processing unit driver components, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exposure. The Android ID A-33245849 specifically identifies this vulnerability within the Android security framework, highlighting its significance in mobile device security contexts. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the potential for sensitive data compromise without requiring user interaction or explicit permissions, making it particularly concerning for mobile environments where user data protection is paramount.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the GPU driver's memory management subsystem where insufficient validation mechanisms allow unauthorized access to memory regions that should be protected from user-space applications. When a malicious application attempts to access GPU resources, the driver fails to properly enforce memory boundaries and access restrictions that would normally prevent such unauthorized data retrieval. This weakness creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation where user-level processes can access kernel memory spaces or other protected data structures that contain sensitive information. The vulnerability exploits fundamental security principles related to memory isolation and access control, specifically manifesting as a failure in the driver's security model. This issue directly relates to CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and CWE-264, covering "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls," demonstrating how improper access control implementation can lead to unauthorized data exposure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0334 extends beyond simple data disclosure to encompass potential compromise of device integrity and user privacy. Mobile devices running affected NVIDIA GPU drivers become vulnerable to attacks that could expose sensitive user information including personal data, application credentials, and potentially system configuration details. The local nature of the exploit means that malicious applications already present on the device can leverage this vulnerability without requiring additional privileges or user consent, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is paramount. Attackers could potentially access cryptographic keys, user authentication tokens, or other sensitive data stored in memory regions that should remain protected. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as the flaw enables malicious actors to elevate their privileges and access restricted system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU drivers and kernel components to address the memory access control deficiencies. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating Android devices to versions that include corrected driver implementations that properly enforce memory boundaries and access controls. The implementation of additional security measures such as mandatory access controls, memory protection mechanisms, and runtime integrity checks can help reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits of driver components and memory management systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for device drivers, particularly those handling sensitive data and system resources, as failures in these components can have widespread implications for overall system security.