CVE-2017-0448 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the NVIDIA video 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-3.10. Android ID: A-32721029. References: N-CVE-2017-0448.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0448 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within NVIDIA video drivers integrated into Android devices running kernel version 3.10. This security weakness resides in the graphics processing unit driver component that manages hardware acceleration for visual rendering operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the memory management and access control mechanisms within the driver's implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal permission boundaries. The issue manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability where a local malicious application can exploit improper memory access controls to read data that should normally be restricted to higher privilege levels. This flaw directly impacts the Android operating system's security model by undermining the isolation guarantees that separate applications should maintain from each other and from system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of memory access requests within the NVIDIA graphics driver code. When applications request graphics processing operations through the driver interface, the system fails to properly verify that these requests remain within appropriate memory boundaries. The flaw allows an attacker to craft specific memory access patterns that can traverse protected memory regions, effectively enabling information disclosure from areas that should be inaccessible to standard applications. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and more specifically aligns with CWE-264, Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls. The underlying issue manifests in the driver's failure to implement proper bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms during graphics command processing, creating a direct attack surface that can be exploited through local privilege escalation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Android devices as it allows local malicious applications to access sensitive data that should remain protected within system memory spaces. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential information including but not limited to user credentials, personal data, application secrets, and potentially system-level configuration details. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, as access to protected memory regions could reveal information that might be used to develop further exploits or bypass additional security controls. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1005, Data from Local System, as it enables malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources and sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all Android devices utilizing NVIDIA graphics hardware with kernel 3.10, making it a widespread concern across numerous device models and manufacturers that incorporate NVIDIA's graphics processing units.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0448 require immediate attention through official security patches provided by NVIDIA and device manufacturers. The primary solution involves updating the graphics driver components to versions that properly implement memory access controls and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators and device users should prioritize applying security updates from their respective vendors, as this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction or explicit consent. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing controls, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and maintaining updated security configurations. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The fix addresses the root cause by strengthening the driver's memory management functions and ensuring proper validation of all graphics command parameters, thereby restoring the intended security boundaries between applications and system resources. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and helps maintain the integrity of Android's security architecture by preventing unauthorized data access through hardware driver components.