CVE-2017-0525 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm IPA 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-33139056. References: QC-CR#1097714.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0525 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm IPA (Internet Protocol Accelerator) driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for handling network packet processing and acceleration, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges from user-space applications to full kernel-level execution. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, which were prevalent in various smartphone models from 2016 and earlier. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the driver's handling of specific ioctl (input/output control) commands that are exposed to user-space applications through the standard Android framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first compromise a privileged process or gain initial access to the device, as the vulnerability itself is not directly exploitable from an unprivileged state. However, once an attacker has achieved a foothold within a privileged context, the flaw allows for arbitrary code execution within the kernel space, effectively granting complete control over the device. This occurs due to improper bounds checking and memory corruption handling within the IPA driver's command processing logic, which can be triggered through specially crafted ioctl calls. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121, which describes a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, though the actual exploitation mechanism involves more sophisticated kernel memory manipulation techniques. The attack vector operates through the standard Android permission model where applications can make privileged system calls, but the driver fails to properly validate the parameters passed in these calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once kernel-level execution is achieved, adversaries can bypass all Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies, application sandboxing, and encryption protections. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for mobile devices where sensitive data, personal information, and corporate assets are typically stored. The attack scenario involves an attacker first obtaining a malicious application installed on the target device, which then leverages the IPA driver vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute malicious code with kernel-level permissions. This capability allows for persistent rootkit installation, data exfiltration, modification of system files, and complete device control. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects the fact that it requires only a compromised privileged process to achieve complete system compromise, making it a valuable target for advanced persistent threats and mobile malware authors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0525 primarily focus on patching the affected Qualcomm IPA driver components through official Android security updates. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of the security patches provided by Qualcomm and Google, particularly for devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. System administrators should implement robust application vetting processes to prevent installation of potentially malicious applications that could be used to exploit this vulnerability. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of privilege escalation techniques through kernel exploits, emphasizing the need for layered defense strategies. Additional protective measures include implementing application control policies, monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations. Device users should be educated about the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping their devices updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure driver development practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel components before deployment. This case demonstrates how vulnerabilities in seemingly specialized driver components can have cascading effects on entire operating system security models, highlighting the critical nature of kernel-level security in mobile platforms.