CVE-2017-0455 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm bootloader could help to enable a local malicious application to to execute arbitrary code within the context of the bootloader. This issue is rated as High because it is a general bypass for a bootloader level defense in depth or exploit mitigation technology. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32370952. References: QC-CR#1082755.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0455 represents a critical security flaw within the Qualcomm bootloader implementation that fundamentally undermines the device's security architecture. This information disclosure vulnerability exists at the lowest level of the Android operating system, specifically within the bootloader component that initializes the device and loads the operating system kernel. The flaw allows a locally installed malicious application to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the bootloader context, effectively bypassing multiple layers of security controls that are designed to protect against such attacks. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its ability to circumvent fundamental bootloader-level defenses that are intended to provide protection against unauthorized code execution and system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a specific flaw in how the Qualcomm bootloader handles certain input parameters or memory operations, creating an information disclosure channel that malicious applications can exploit to gain deeper system access. This issue specifically affects Android devices running kernel version 3.18 and is identified by the Android ID A-32370952. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a complete bypass of the bootloader's security mechanisms, including any exploit mitigations or defense-in-depth controls that might otherwise prevent unauthorized code execution. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability would be classified under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) due to the unauthorized access it enables.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0455 is severe and far-reaching across the Android ecosystem, as it allows attackers to compromise devices at the most fundamental level where the system's integrity is established. Once exploited, the malicious application can execute code with bootloader privileges, potentially enabling complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of persistent backdoors. This vulnerability undermines the entire security model of Android devices since the bootloader is supposed to be a trusted execution environment that prevents unauthorized modifications to the boot process. The attack vector requires only a locally installed malicious application, making it particularly dangerous as it doesn't require network connectivity or complex social engineering techniques. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1014 (Rootkit) as it enables the attacker to gain elevated privileges and potentially establish persistent access to the device.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the affected Qualcomm bootloader implementations and kernel updates to address the underlying flaw. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security patches to affected devices, while users should ensure their devices are updated with the latest security fixes. System administrators and security professionals should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls to detect unauthorized bootloader modifications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of securing bootloader components and demonstrates how flaws at this level can have cascading effects throughout the entire security architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing device integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to bootloader components and provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.