CVE-2017-0520 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm crypto engine 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-31750232. References: QC-CR#1082636.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0520 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm crypto engine driver component of Android operating systems. This issue exists within the kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning as these represent widely deployed Android kernel versions. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which then provides the necessary foothold to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. The Android ID A-31750232 and Qualcomm reference QC-CR#1082636 indicate this was properly tracked and addressed within the Android security framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies within the Qualcomm crypto engine driver's handling of cryptographic operations and memory management. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this flaw, it leverages improper input validation or memory corruption within the driver's kernel-space code execution paths. The vulnerability allows an attacker who has already gained access to a privileged process to bypass kernel security mechanisms and execute code with the highest level of system privileges. This typically involves manipulating driver interfaces or exploiting race conditions that occur during cryptographic operations, potentially allowing for arbitrary memory writes or code execution within kernel space.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0520 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the security model of Android devices running affected kernel versions. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to bypass critical security controls including kernel address space layout randomization, kernel module loading restrictions, and other kernel-level protections. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be used to install malware, extract sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the device. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges initially, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by applications that have already been granted elevated permissions through legitimate means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android devices through official security updates from device manufacturers. The fix typically involves correcting the input validation within the Qualcomm crypto engine driver and implementing proper memory management controls to prevent the exploitation vector. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and ensure that all devices are updated to the latest security patches. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory corruption vulnerabilities, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security patches and consider implementing additional runtime protections to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the crypto engine components.