CVE-2017-0536 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Synaptics touchscreen 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, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33555878.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0536 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Synaptics touchscreen driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness exists within the kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the fundamental touch input handling mechanisms that govern how touchscreen devices interact with the Android framework. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, where the Synaptics driver fails to properly enforce access controls, allowing unauthorized data access through improper privilege escalation mechanisms. The issue manifests when a local malicious application attempts to exploit the driver's insufficient validation processes, potentially gaining access to sensitive data beyond its normal operational boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which serves as a prerequisite for the information disclosure attack vector. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the moderate severity category according to standard risk assessment methodologies, as it does not provide direct unauthorized access but rather enables a malicious actor to escalate privileges through a specific attack path. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Synaptics touchscreen driver implementation, creating potential access points where kernel memory regions could be read by unauthorized applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege checks in kernel space operations.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device security as it enables local attackers to potentially access sensitive system information, user data, or other privileged resources that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the ability to access kernel memory regions could potentially lead to further exploitation opportunities or system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information such as user credentials, application data, or system configuration details that are normally restricted to privileged processes. The attack requires local access and process compromise, making it less immediately dangerous than remote exploits but still concerning from a persistence and escalation perspective. The vulnerability affects devices running Android with kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, representing a substantial portion of legacy Android implementations that may not have received timely security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0536 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for affected Android kernel versions, with particular attention to devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. System administrators and device manufacturers should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized process access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes enabling kernel security modules such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to add additional layers of protection. Additionally, implementing proper access control policies and privilege separation mechanisms within the touchscreen driver framework can help prevent unauthorized data access. Organizations should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious activity patterns and enforce security policies. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy kernel versions that may not receive ongoing security support. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the kernel level access controls that protect system integrity.