CVE-2017-0464 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi 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-32940193. References: QC-CR#1102593.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0464 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across various Android devices. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its requirement to first compromise a privileged process, which creates a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to escalate their privileges within the system. The issue was tracked under Android ID A-32940193 and referenced in Qualcomm's internal tracking system QC-CR#1102593, indicating a recognized security concern within the vendor's security infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of memory operations within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver's kernel module, specifically in how it processes certain data structures and memory allocations. This memory corruption vulnerability allows a local malicious application to exploit a buffer overflow or use-after-free condition that ultimately results in arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges. The flaw occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or when it mishandles memory management operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the driver's behavior. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack requires a local malicious application to already be running with some level of privileges, but once successful, it provides complete control over the kernel execution context.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0464 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges available. This capability allows malicious actors to bypass all standard security controls, including application sandboxing, SELinux policies, and other kernel-level protections that normally prevent unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor into the kernel space, enabling attackers to modify system files, install rootkits, disable security features, or extract sensitive data from the device. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as privilege escalation through kernel exploits and persistence mechanisms that leverage kernel-level access. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring user interaction or network connectivity, making it a stealthy and effective method for attackers to gain persistent access to devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0464 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective approach involves applying the official security patches released by Qualcomm and Android vendors, which typically include memory validation fixes and proper input parameter checking within the Wi-Fi driver code. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating kernel versions to patched releases that contain the necessary security fixes, particularly for devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. Additional protective measures include implementing runtime monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities, disabling unnecessary Wi-Fi driver functionalities, and employing application whitelisting to prevent malicious applications from gaining the initial privileges required to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel security hardening and proper memory management practices in embedded systems, as it demonstrates how driver-level flaws can compromise entire system security models. Organizations should also consider implementing device integrity checking mechanisms and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts before they can be fully leveraged for malicious purposes.