CVE-2017-0431 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-32573899.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0431 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source kernel components that affects Android devices running the Android kernel. This vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm closed source drivers and firmware components that are integral to the Android operating system's kernel implementation, specifically impacting the kernel's ability to properly enforce access controls and privilege boundaries. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper privilege handling within the Qualcomm-specific kernel modules that manage hardware interactions and system resources. The vulnerability was tracked under Android ID A-32573899 and affects various Android versions that utilize Qualcomm's proprietary kernel components, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Qualcomm chipsets in mobile devices.
The technical flaw manifests through a privilege escalation mechanism that allows an attacker to gain elevated system privileges through carefully crafted inputs or specific sequences of operations within the kernel space. This vulnerability typically exploits weaknesses in the kernel's handling of system calls or device driver operations that are part of Qualcomm's proprietary implementation. The flaw enables an unprivileged user-level process to manipulate kernel data structures or bypass security checks that should normally prevent such privilege escalation. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and potentially CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" depending on the specific implementation details. The root cause lies in insufficient validation of parameters passed to kernel functions or improper access control mechanisms within Qualcomm's closed source kernel modules that handle hardware-specific operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0431 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise and persistent access to affected devices. Once exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, providing access to sensitive system resources, data encryption keys, and the ability to modify system files and configurations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malicious applications, modify system behavior, or establish backdoors that persist across reboots. The closed source nature of Qualcomm's components makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it limits the ability of security researchers and device manufacturers to fully analyze and patch the issue. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and potentially T1543: "Create or Modify System Process" within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, demonstrating how attackers can leverage kernel-level flaws to achieve persistent system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0431 require immediate action from device manufacturers and system administrators to implement security patches provided by Qualcomm and Android security teams. The most effective approach involves applying the official security updates that address the privilege escalation flaw in Qualcomm's closed source kernel components. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out patches to affected Android versions and ensure that all Qualcomm-based devices receive the necessary kernel updates. Additionally, implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, kernel address space layout randomization, and enhanced input validation can help reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and implementing device integrity checks to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with relying on proprietary closed source components that may not receive timely security updates compared to open source alternatives.