CVE-2017-0578 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the DTS sound 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: N/A. Android ID: A-33964406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0578 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android operating system's DTS sound driver component. This issue resides in the kernel-level audio subsystem that handles digital audio processing for devices utilizing DTS audio technologies. The vulnerability specifically affects the sound driver's handling of audio data structures and memory management operations, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation that could ultimately allow a malicious application to gain root-level access to the device's kernel space. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which aligns with the high severity rating as it represents a significant escalation from typical application-level threats.
The technical flaw manifests in improper validation and handling of audio buffer operations within the DTS driver implementation. When processing audio data, the driver fails to properly validate input parameters and memory access patterns, creating potential for buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption scenarios. This weakness allows a local attacker with a privileged application to manipulate audio processing routines and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management practices within the driver's code structure, particularly in how it handles audio data streams and device control operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel space. Once exploited, the malicious application can manipulate system resources, access sensitive data, modify system files, and potentially disable security features. This capability enables sophisticated attack scenarios including persistent root access, data exfiltration, and system integrity compromise. The vulnerability affects all Android devices that implement DTS audio processing capabilities, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of DTS audio technologies in mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0578 require immediate implementation of security patches from device manufacturers and Google. The primary fix involves updating the DTS sound driver with proper input validation and memory management procedures to prevent buffer overflows and unauthorized code execution. Organizations should also implement application sandboxing policies and monitor for suspicious audio processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation. Device security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and establish monitoring protocols for potential exploitation indicators. The fix requires careful implementation to avoid disrupting legitimate audio functionality while addressing the core privilege escalation mechanism.