CVE-2017-0564 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the kernel ION subsystem 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, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-34276203.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0564 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android kernel's ION subsystem, which serves as a memory management framework for handling multimedia and graphics operations. This vulnerability specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The ION subsystem is designed to manage memory allocation for various system components including graphics drivers, camera modules, and multimedia processing units, making it a critical component in the Android operating system's memory management architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the ION subsystem's memory allocation and deallocation functions. Attackers can manipulate specific memory management operations to trigger a buffer overflow or use-after-free condition that allows them to overwrite critical kernel memory structures. This flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management validation routines within the kernel's ION driver implementation, enabling a local attacker with a malicious application to gain unauthorized access to kernel execution context. The vulnerability's classification as Critical by Google reflects its potential for complete system compromise, as successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute code with the highest possible privileges, effectively bypassing all standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies and permission controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0564 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the Android security model's integrity. Once exploited, the malicious application can manipulate core system functions including device boot processes, modify system files, install persistent backdoors, and access all user data without restriction. The severity of this compromise is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability requires no special user interaction or external attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any local application with sufficient privileges to access the ION subsystem. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory management that allow for buffer overflows and memory corruption, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through kernel-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions, with Android security patches addressing the specific memory management flaws in the ION subsystem. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious memory allocation patterns and unauthorized kernel code execution. The recommended approach includes updating to patched kernel versions, enabling kernel address space layout randomization, and implementing additional security controls such as kernel module signing and integrity checks. Organizations should also consider deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with kernel exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory management irregularities that could indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a permanent device compromise risk means that complete system reinstallation may be required in cases where exploitation has occurred, emphasizing the critical importance of timely patch management and proactive security monitoring.