CVE-2017-0518 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm fingerprint sensor 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-3.18. Android ID: A-32370896. References: QC-CR#1086530.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0518 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm fingerprint sensor driver component of Android systems. This security weakness resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for managing fingerprint authentication hardware, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges beyond normal user limitations. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and privilege management within the driver's implementation, allowing local attackers with compromised privileged processes to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the significant operational impact it can have on device security, as kernel-level execution grants complete system control over affected devices. The Android kernel version 3.18 specifically contains this flaw, making devices running this kernel version particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper access control mechanisms within the fingerprint sensor driver's kernel interface. When a malicious application successfully compromises a privileged process, it can leverage the driver's insufficient validation checks to inject and execute malicious code within the kernel context. This occurs through improper handling of ioctl (input/output control) commands or other driver interfaces that should only be accessible to trusted system components. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which unprivileged code can gain kernel-level execution capabilities, bypassing normal Android security boundaries. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write," as the driver fails to properly validate input parameters and maintain proper privilege boundaries. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as it enables attackers to execute code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of Android's security model. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over device functionality, including access to encrypted data, modification of system files, installation of malicious applications, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which aligns with real-world attack scenarios where attackers first gain access to a legitimate application before leveraging this kernel-level weakness. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently install malicious applications or where applications with elevated permissions are compromised. The affected devices running kernel version 3.18 are at risk regardless of their security patch status, as the flaw exists in the core driver implementation rather than in user-space applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0518 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary remediation involves updating to patched kernel versions that address the privilege management flaws within the Qualcomm fingerprint sensor driver. Device vendors should implement comprehensive security updates that include kernel patches specifically targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, users should ensure their devices receive all available security updates from their manufacturers, as these patches will contain the necessary fixes for the driver's privilege handling mechanisms. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious kernel-level activities. The vulnerability's nature suggests that traditional application-level security measures may not be sufficient, requiring deeper system-level defenses and kernel-level integrity monitoring. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and regularly audit device security configurations to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.