CVE-2017-0456 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm IPA 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-33106520. References: QC-CR#1099598.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0456 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm IPA (Instant Processing Architecture) driver component of Android systems. This vulnerability exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the core operating system functionality and creating a pathway for malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to kernel-level execution contexts. The issue is classified as High severity due to its requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, which significantly reduces the attack surface but still maintains severe implications for system security. The Qualcomm IPA driver serves as a critical interface for hardware acceleration and network processing, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges within the Android ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and memory handling within the IPA driver's kernel module implementation. When a malicious application successfully compromises a privileged process, it can exploit specific code paths within the driver that fail to properly validate user-supplied data before processing it in kernel space. This allows the attacker to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management practices that permit unauthorized code execution within the kernel context, violating fundamental security principles of privilege separation and memory protection. The flaw specifically relates to how the driver handles certain ioctl (input/output control) commands and data structures, creating opportunities for buffer overflows or memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected devices and potentially compromise the entire Android security framework. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can bypass all standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies, application sandboxing, and other protective measures. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used to install malicious applications, access encrypted data, modify system files, and maintain long-term access to compromised devices. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm chipsets, particularly those running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it a significant concern for device manufacturers and security professionals. The attack requires initial compromise of a privileged process, but once achieved, provides a direct pathway to complete system compromise with implications for data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0456 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Device manufacturers must prioritize the release of security updates that address the specific memory handling issues within the Qualcomm IPA driver, with particular attention to the input validation mechanisms and kernel memory management routines. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual kernel-level activities and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques using kernel exploits and can be categorized under T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection measures, network segmentation, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful testing to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications and system functionality.