CVE-2017-0571 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-34203305. References: B-RB#111541.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0571 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness exists specifically in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across various Android devices. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its requirement to first compromise a privileged process, which creates a layered attack vector that adversaries must navigate before achieving their ultimate goal of kernel-level code execution.
The technical flaw manifests in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver's insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing certain Wi-Fi frames or driver commands. This deficiency allows a local malicious application to craft specially crafted inputs that trigger a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition within the kernel space. The vulnerability specifically impacts the driver's handling of wireless communication protocols and packet processing routines, where improper bounds checking enables attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a common vector for privilege escalation attacks in kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution privileges, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel operations. Once exploited, the malicious application can bypass normal security boundaries and gain root-level access to the system, enabling it to modify critical system files, install persistent backdoors, or extract sensitive user data. The attack requires a local compromise of a privileged process, which means that the initial foothold must be established through another vulnerability or attack vector such as a compromised app or malicious update. This requirement adds complexity to exploitation but does not eliminate the severity of the vulnerability, as kernel-level access provides attackers with unlimited system control.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that Wi-Fi drivers are fundamental system components that operate with high privileges. The exploitation process typically involves leveraging the kernel memory corruption to either overwrite function pointers, manipulate kernel data structures, or directly inject and execute malicious code within kernel context. This type of attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities to achieve persistent system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 means that numerous Android devices from various manufacturers remained at risk, as these kernel versions were widely deployed across multiple device generations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0571 primarily focus on patching the affected Broadcom Wi-Fi driver components through system updates. Android security patches addressing this vulnerability typically include enhanced input validation routines and memory protection mechanisms within the driver code. Device manufacturers and carriers must ensure timely deployment of these patches to protect their user base from exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel memory protection features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Network administrators and security professionals should monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers and the necessity for regular security audits of system components that operate with elevated privileges, as outlined in industry best practices for secure system development and maintenance.