CVE-2017-0563 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the HTC touchscreen driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-32089409.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0563 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the HTC touchscreen driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level touchscreen driver implementation, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the driver's kernel space components, allowing attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures through crafted touchscreen input sequences or driver interactions. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects the severe implications for device security and the potential for complete system compromise. According to CWE-119, this vulnerability involves improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, specifically manifesting in kernel memory corruption scenarios. The attack vector requires local access to the device, meaning a malicious application must already be installed on the target system to exploit this weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a kernel-level privilege escalation mechanism that leverages the touchscreen driver's interaction with kernel memory management systems. When a malicious application interacts with the touchscreen driver, it can trigger memory corruption conditions that allow code execution in kernel space. This typically involves manipulating driver data structures or exploiting race conditions in the input processing pipeline. The vulnerability enables an attacker to gain root-level access to the device, potentially allowing them to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, or extract sensitive data from the device's memory. The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with unrestricted access to all system resources, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for mobile device security. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain system-level access, and T1059, which covers execution through kernel modules or drivers.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0563 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the Android security model. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass all kernel-level security controls, including memory protection mechanisms and privilege separation policies. This creates a permanent compromise of the device that can persist across reboots and is extremely difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. The requirement for device reflashing to fully remediate this vulnerability indicates the depth of the compromise and the difficulty in simply patching the issue. The vulnerability affects HTC devices running Android with kernel 3.10, representing a significant portion of the Android ecosystem during that time period. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel driver security and the potential for seemingly benign hardware drivers to serve as attack vectors for complete system compromise. Organizations and users must understand that kernel-level vulnerabilities like this one represent the most severe threat to mobile device security, as they fundamentally undermine the operating system's security architecture and provide attackers with the ultimate level of system control. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper code review and security testing for kernel components, particularly those handling hardware input interfaces that have direct memory access capabilities.