CVE-2017-0451 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm sound driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-31796345. References: QC-CR#1073129.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0451 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Qualcomm's sound driver implementation on Android devices. This weakness resides in the kernel-level audio subsystem and specifically affects Android versions utilizing kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. The issue manifests as a privilege escalation vector that allows a locally installed malicious application to bypass normal permission boundaries and access data that should be restricted to higher-privilege processes. The vulnerability's classification as Moderate severity reflects the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, yet this prerequisite does not diminish its potential impact on system security. The Android ID A-31796345 and Qualcomm's internal reference QC-CR#1073129 indicate this was properly tracked and addressed within the vendor's security framework.
The technical flaw stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Qualcomm sound driver component that handles audio processing operations. When a malicious application attempts to access audio-related system resources, the driver fails to properly validate the requesting process's privileges and permission levels. This allows the application to potentially read memory locations or access data structures that contain sensitive information from other processes or system components. The vulnerability exploits a lack of proper boundary checking in the kernel's audio subsystem, creating an information leak that could expose confidential data including user credentials, application data, or system configuration parameters. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through inadequate input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0451 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a persistent security risk for Android devices running affected kernel versions. A compromised application with audio processing permissions could potentially access sensitive information from other system components, including cryptographic keys, personal data, or communication contents. The requirement for initial privilege compromise means that an attacker would need to first gain access to a system process with elevated permissions, but once achieved, the vulnerability provides a pathway for further escalation and data extraction. This creates a multi-layered attack vector that could be exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to achieve complete system compromise. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain access to restricted resources within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a comprehensive approach addressing both immediate system protection and long-term security enhancements. Device manufacturers should prioritize kernel updates that include proper access control mechanisms for audio subsystem components, ensuring that all audio driver operations properly validate process privileges before granting access to restricted resources. System administrators and security teams should implement strict application permission controls, particularly for audio-related applications that require elevated privileges. Regular security auditing of kernel components, including audio drivers, should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege boundary enforcement in kernel-level components, aligning with security best practices outlined in the CWE database and supporting the need for robust privilege separation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring for suspicious audio subsystem access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful data breaches.