CVE-2017-0579 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm video 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-34125463. References: QC-CR#1115406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0579 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's video driver implementation that operates at the kernel level. This weakness exists in Android operating systems running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the serious implications. The Android ID A-34125463 and Qualcomm's internal reference QC-CR#1115406 indicate this issue was properly documented and tracked within the respective vendor ecosystems.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of memory operations within the Qualcomm video driver component, specifically related to how the driver processes certain video decoding operations. This memory management issue creates a potential for buffer overflows or memory corruption that can be exploited by a local malicious application. The vulnerability likely stems from insufficient input validation or improper bounds checking when processing video frames or related data structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows, both of which are common in kernel-level driver code where memory management is critical. The exploitation process requires an attacker to first gain access to a privileged process context, then leverage the driver vulnerability to escalate privileges and ultimately achieve kernel code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Once a malicious application achieves kernel-level execution, it gains unrestricted access to all system resources, including the ability to modify or delete any file, access sensitive data, install persistent backdoors, or disable security features. This level of access effectively nullifies all Android security boundaries and can lead to data theft, system takeover, or even device bricking. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm chipsets, particularly those running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it a significant concern for device manufacturers and end users. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation through kernel exploits and persistence mechanisms, representing a critical weakness in the Android security model.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0579 require a multi-layered approach combining immediate patching with ongoing security monitoring. Device manufacturers must prioritize the deployment of Qualcomm's security patches and kernel updates that address the specific memory handling issues within the video driver. Users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from both the manufacturer and Google, as the vulnerability affects the core Android kernel components. Network security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual memory allocation patterns or privilege escalation events. Additionally, the implementation of exploit prevention measures such as kernel address space layout randomization kASLR, stack canaries, and code integrity checks can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime application control measures to prevent malicious applications from gaining the initial privileged access required to exploit this vulnerability, aligning with ATT&CK techniques for preventing privilege escalation and maintaining system integrity through proper access control mechanisms.