CVE-2017-0568 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Broadcom Wi-Fi 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-34197514. References: B-RB#112600.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0568 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the core system functionality that manages wireless network communications. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its requirement to first compromise a privileged process, which creates a complex attack vector that demands both initial access and subsequent privilege escalation capabilities. The Android ID A-34197514 specifically identifies this issue within the Android security framework, while reference B-RB#112600 provides additional technical details from Broadcom's security advisory.
The technical flaw manifests in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver's improper handling of kernel memory operations and privilege validation mechanisms. When a malicious application gains access to a privileged process, it can exploit specific kernel-level vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This occurs through buffer overflow conditions or improper input validation within the driver's kernel space code paths. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal kernel security boundaries and gain root-level access to the device's core operating system functions. This flaw operates at the intersection of kernel security and wireless communication protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to compromise the entire device's security posture.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0568 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can lead to complete device compromise. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to install malicious applications, modify system files, access encrypted data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The attack requires an initial foothold through a compromised privileged process, which aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques. This vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation," and CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Resources via Weak Access Control." The combination of these weaknesses creates a dangerous scenario where a single compromised application can gain complete system control through kernel-level exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0568 focus on both immediate patching and broader security hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest security updates from Android and Broadcom that address the specific kernel-level vulnerabilities in versions 3.10 and 3.18. System administrators should implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized privileged process access and monitor for suspicious kernel-level activities. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to defense-in-depth approaches, including kernel module integrity checking, secure boot implementations, and runtime application behavior monitoring. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel security patches and highlights the need for continuous monitoring of kernel-level security boundaries.