CVE-2017-0442 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi 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, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32871330. References: QC-CR#1092497.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0442 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's Wi-Fi driver implementation on Android devices. This weakness exists in the kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across various Android devices. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, which means that successful exploitation could grant an attacker complete control over the device's core operating system functions. The issue is classified as High severity because it requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, indicating that an attacker must first gain some level of access before being able to leverage this specific vulnerability.
The technical flaw manifests within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver's handling of certain kernel operations, specifically related to memory management and privilege escalation mechanisms. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this vulnerability, it can manipulate the driver's behavior to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-269, which deals with improper privilege management, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control in kernel space operations. The attack vector typically involves a local malicious application that has already gained some form of elevated privileges, allowing it to leverage the driver's improper handling of specific system calls or memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel operations. This could enable malicious actors to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive user data, or even disable security features entirely. The vulnerability's presence in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 means that a significant number of Android devices were potentially affected, particularly those manufactured by Qualcomm and running older Android versions. The fact that this vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process suggests that it may be part of a broader attack chain where attackers first gain access to a legitimate application or service before leveraging this specific kernel flaw.
Security mitigations for CVE-2017-0442 primarily focus on patching the affected Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver implementations and updating the kernel versions to more secure iterations. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize rolling out security patches that address the specific memory management issues within the Wi-Fi driver code. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing measures and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation opportunities, and represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on Android devices for enterprise operations. Regular security assessments and kernel vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other device drivers and system components. The remediation process requires careful coordination between device manufacturers, Qualcomm, and Android platform providers to ensure comprehensive coverage across all affected devices and kernel versions.