CVE-2017-0461 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi 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-32073794. References: QC-CR#1100132.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0461 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Qualcomm's Wi-Fi driver implementation that affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. This weakness resides in the kernel-level network driver component responsible for managing wireless communication protocols and could potentially allow unauthorized data access by malicious applications operating with limited privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege escalation mechanisms within the Wi-Fi subsystem, creating a pathway for local attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information that should remain restricted to authorized processes. The issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the driver's memory management and access control implementation, where proper boundary checks are insufficient to prevent unauthorized data retrieval operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process to establish a foothold within the system, which then enables the malicious application to leverage the driver flaw for information disclosure. This prerequisite makes the attack vector moderately complex but still concerning given the potential for data exposure. The flaw likely stems from improper validation of memory access requests or insufficient input sanitization within the driver's data handling routines, allowing a local process to craft specific requests that bypass normal kernel security checks. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, Information Exposure, and potentially CWE-264, Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, as it involves unauthorized data access through compromised privilege boundaries. The attack scenario typically involves a malicious application that first gains elevated privileges through another vulnerability or attack vector, then utilizes the Wi-Fi driver flaw to access additional sensitive data or system resources that would normally be protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0461 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential escalation path that could lead to more severe consequences including full system compromise or data exfiltration. Mobile devices running affected kernel versions become vulnerable to attacks that could expose user credentials, personal data, communication records, and other sensitive information stored within the device's memory or accessible through the network subsystem. The vulnerability's presence in both kernel 3.10 and 3.18 versions indicates a widespread impact across multiple Android device generations, particularly affecting devices manufactured by Qualcomm that utilize their proprietary Wi-Fi driver implementations. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, as the information disclosed could provide attackers with additional system context needed for further exploitation or lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus primarily on applying the relevant security patches provided by Qualcomm and Android vendors, which typically involve updating the kernel components and Wi-Fi driver implementations to properly validate memory access requests and enforce stricter access controls. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize the deployment of security updates across affected systems, particularly for devices that handle sensitive information or operate in high-risk environments. The implementation of additional security measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and enhanced privilege separation mechanisms can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and information gathering, where the initial compromise of a privileged process represents the T1068 privilege escalation technique, while the subsequent data access represents T1005 data hijacking. Device security monitoring should include detection of anomalous network driver behavior and unauthorized memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on the specific kernel version and driver characteristics associated with this vulnerability.