CVE-2017-0535 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the HTC sound codec driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-33547247.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0535 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the HTC sound codec driver component of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the kernel version 3.10 and affects the broader Android ecosystem through the Android ID A-33547247. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, specifically targeting the sound codec driver which handles audio processing and playback functions within the device. The flaw allows for unauthorized data access that would normally be restricted to higher privilege levels, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the sound codec driver implementation. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the audio subsystem, the driver fails to properly validate access permissions, potentially allowing data from other processes or system components to be read without appropriate authorization. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where a local attacker can leverage the sound driver to access memory regions or data structures that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates under CWE-200, which categorizes improper information disclosure issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0535 is significant despite its moderate rating, as it requires an attacker to first compromise a privileged process before exploiting this vulnerability. This prerequisite means that while the attack vector is not trivial, it represents a serious security risk when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability allows for the potential extraction of sensitive information that could include user data, application memory contents, or system configuration details. Attackers could use this information to further compromise the device or extract valuable data from the target system. The requirement to first compromise a privileged process adds complexity to the attack but does not eliminate the threat, as successful exploitation of the initial compromise could provide the attacker with sufficient privileges to leverage this information disclosure vulnerability effectively.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate system updates and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should prioritize deploying kernel updates that address the specific sound codec driver implementation flaw, ensuring that access controls are properly enforced for audio subsystem interactions. System administrators should implement strict application permission controls and monitor for unusual audio-related system calls that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel security boundaries and reinforces the need for comprehensive input validation within device drivers. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application protection measures and memory protection techniques to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The security community should also remain vigilant about similar driver-level vulnerabilities that might exist in other audio subsystem implementations across different device manufacturers.