CVE-2017-0572 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. Android ID: A-34198931. References: B-RB#112597.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0572 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This weakness resides in the kernel-level implementation of the wireless networking subsystem, specifically affecting devices running Android with kernel version 3.10. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Wi-Fi driver's kernel module, creating an exploitable condition that allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute code with kernel-level permissions. The issue is classified as High severity due to the requirement of first compromising a privileged process, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the serious security implications.
The technical flaw manifests through a buffer overflow condition or improper memory handling within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver's kernel code that processes wireless network packets or configuration data. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this vulnerability, it can manipulate the driver's memory structures to overwrite critical kernel data or execute arbitrary code within the privileged kernel context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" or similar memory corruption issues that enable privilege escalation. The exploitation typically requires a local attacker with a legitimate application installed on the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently install malicious software or where applications have elevated privileges through legitimate means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation enables attackers to gain complete control over the device's wireless networking capabilities and potentially access sensitive system resources. Attackers can leverage this kernel-level access to modify system files, disable security features, install persistent backdoors, or extract confidential data from the device. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Android systems by undermining the isolation between user-space applications and kernel-space operations. This weakness particularly impacts devices that rely heavily on Wi-Fi connectivity and could be exploited in scenarios where attackers have already compromised a privileged application or have access to the device through other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0572 require immediate patching of affected Android devices through security updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively addressed through user-level configuration changes. Organizations should implement strict application vetting processes to prevent installation of malicious applications that could serve as initial attack vectors. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which focuses on "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and emphasizes the importance of maintaining secure kernel implementations and preventing local privilege escalation attacks. Device administrators should also monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive logging of kernel-level operations to detect potential abuse of this vulnerability. Regular security audits of kernel modules and driver implementations remain crucial for identifying similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by adversaries.