CVE-2017-0433 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Synaptics touchscreen driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the touchscreen chipset. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-31913571.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The CVE-2017-0433 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Synaptics touchscreen driver component of Android operating systems. This vulnerability exists within the kernel version 3.10 framework and specifically targets the touchscreen chipset functionality through a privileged process compromise. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the driver's implementation, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code at the chipset level. The vulnerability's classification as High severity indicates that while it requires initial compromise of a privileged process, the subsequent execution context provides direct access to hardware-level operations that can be leveraged for system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated attack vector that begins with gaining access to a privileged process and then leveraging the touchscreen driver's trust relationship with the hardware. The Synaptics touchscreen driver operates with elevated privileges to ensure proper functionality of touch input operations, but this privilege model creates an attack surface where malicious code can manipulate driver interfaces to execute arbitrary commands. This flaw typically manifests through improper handling of device ioctls or memory management operations that allow unprivileged code to influence privileged driver execution paths. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds writes that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0433 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete system compromise through hardware-level code execution. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can bypass traditional Android security boundaries and gain direct control over the touchscreen chipset's operational parameters. This access enables malicious actors to manipulate touch input processing, potentially creating false touch events that could be used for further attacks, or to inject code that persists across reboots. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an initial foothold through a compromised privileged process, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters. The chipset-level execution context provides attackers with unprecedented access to low-level system functions that traditional Android security mechanisms cannot effectively protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining kernel-level patches, driver updates, and system hardening measures. Android security teams should prioritize immediate deployment of patched kernel versions that address the privilege escalation pathways within the Synaptics touchscreen driver implementation. Device manufacturers must ensure comprehensive driver updates that close the input validation gaps and implement proper access control checks for all driver interfaces. System administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel module signing verification and runtime monitoring of driver behavior to detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of supply chain security and proper driver vetting processes, as highlighted in NIST SP 800-144 guidelines for mobile device security. Organizations should also implement behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in touchscreen driver interactions that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on privilege escalation activities that bypass standard Android security boundaries.