CVE-2017-0519 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-32372915. References: QC-CR#1086530.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0519 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm fingerprint sensor driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for managing fingerprint authentication hardware, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by malicious applications with local access. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, which provides attackers with the necessary foothold to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The affected kernel version 3.18 indicates this flaw was present in a widely deployed Android kernel framework, potentially affecting numerous devices across various manufacturers that utilize Qualcomm fingerprint hardware.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in the fingerprint sensor driver implementation that allows a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper input validation, buffer overflows, or privilege escalation mechanisms within the driver code that fail to properly enforce security boundaries between user-space applications and kernel-space operations. The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with unprecedented access to system resources, potentially enabling them to bypass security controls, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the device. This flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vector where a user-mode application can leverage driver vulnerabilities to achieve kernel-mode execution, fundamentally compromising the security model of the Android operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire device security posture. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially access encrypted data, modify system configurations, install malicious applications, or even disable security features designed to protect against such attacks. The requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process suggests that attackers would need to first gain access to a legitimate application with elevated permissions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where applications with elevated privileges are commonly installed. This weakness directly impacts the Android security model's integrity by undermining the isolation between different privilege levels and allowing unauthorized code execution within the most privileged system context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0519 should prioritize immediate patching of affected devices through official security updates provided by device manufacturers and Google. Organizations should implement strict application vetting processes to minimize the risk of installing potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability. The security community should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous kernel-level behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure system design. Additionally, this flaw corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict control over privileged processes and preventing unauthorized privilege escalation within the kernel space.