CVE-2017-0457 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm ADSPRPC 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-31695439. References: QC-CR#1086123, QC-CR#1100695.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0457 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm ADSPRPC driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level subsystem responsible for handling audio digital signal processing operations and demonstrates how low-level driver vulnerabilities can provide pathways for sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these kernel versions across various mobile platforms. The flaw requires an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which aligns with the high severity rating as it establishes a multi-layered attack requirement that significantly increases the attack surface complexity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ADSPRPC driver's communication mechanisms. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the driver through specific ioctl calls, the kernel fails to properly validate the parameters provided by the user-space process. This validation gap allows for memory corruption that can be exploited to gain kernel-level privileges. The flaw operates through a classic buffer overflow mechanism where crafted input data can overwrite critical kernel memory structures, potentially enabling code execution with the highest system privileges. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes it under privilege escalation techniques that leverage kernel-level vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the Android security model. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can bypass all standard Android security controls including SELinux policies, application sandboxing, and other runtime protections. The compromised system allows for complete data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and the ability to manipulate core system components without detection. Mobile devices affected by this vulnerability become essentially compromised platforms where attackers can access all user data, communications, and system resources. The requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process means that attackers must first gain access through other attack vectors such as malicious applications or exploit chains, but once achieved, the impact is devastating.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0457 require a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate system protection and long-term security improvements. Device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected kernel versions to patched releases that include proper input validation and memory management controls. System administrators and security teams must implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and maintain regular patching schedules to address similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers, emphasizing the need for input validation, memory bounds checking, and proper privilege separation. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and control flow integrity to make exploitation more difficult. According to industry best practices and security frameworks, this vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments of kernel components and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and unknown vulnerabilities.