CVE-2017-0429 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-32636619. References: N-CVE-2017-0429.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
This vulnerability resides within the NVIDIA GPU driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10, representing a critical elevation of privilege flaw that allows local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the graphics driver's kernel modules, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses standard Android security boundaries. The vulnerability affects the Android operating system's security model by enabling an attacker with local execution capabilities to gain root access to the device's kernel, fundamentally compromising the system's integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a specific kernel memory corruption vulnerability that occurs during GPU command processing within the NVIDIA driver's kernel space. When a malicious application submits specially crafted graphics commands or memory operations, the driver fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical kernel structures or execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, depending on the specific memory corruption mechanism exploited. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the device and can be triggered through legitimate graphics processing operations, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the normal execution flow of the graphics subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0429 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation results in complete device compromise that can persist across reboots and requires complete system reinstallation to remediate. This persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker gains access to a device, they can maintain control indefinitely until the operating system is reflashed, effectively rendering the device unusable without complete reinstallation. The vulnerability affects the Android security model by undermining the principle of least privilege, where the graphics driver should operate within restricted boundaries but instead allows malicious code execution at the kernel level. This compromise affects all Android devices utilizing NVIDIA GPU drivers in kernel 3.10 environments, potentially impacting millions of devices across various manufacturers and model lines.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the NVIDIA GPU driver components through official Android security updates, as the flaw cannot be effectively addressed through user-level configuration changes or application-level security measures. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of the latest NVIDIA driver updates and kernel patches that address the specific memory corruption issues within the graphics driver's kernel modules. The remediation process involves replacing the vulnerable kernel components with patched versions that implement proper input validation and memory management controls, including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigations. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious graphics processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation pattern typically involves specific memory access patterns that may be detectable through system logging and security monitoring tools. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security in mobile operating systems and the potential for graphics drivers to serve as attack vectors for complete system compromise.