CVE-2017-0580 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Synaptics Touchscreen 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-3.18. Android ID: A-34325986.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0580 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Synaptics Touchscreen driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.18. This weakness resides in the touchscreen driver implementation that handles input processing for touch-sensitive devices, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute 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 of successful exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests in improper input validation and privilege handling within the Synaptics touchscreen driver module. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the touchscreen driver through improper ioctl (input/output control) commands or malformed input data, the driver fails to properly validate the incoming requests. This validation gap allows the malicious code to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing standard user-mode security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the interaction between the touchscreen driver and the Android kernel's input subsystem, where insufficient access controls and privilege checks enable unauthorized code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation grants attackers complete control over the device's kernel space operations. This includes the ability to modify system files, disable security features, install persistent backdoors, and access sensitive user data without detection. The kernel-level access enables attackers to manipulate device behavior at the most fundamental level, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire Android operating system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, monitor user activities, and execute further attacks against connected networks or other devices in the ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0580 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android device manufacturers and OEMs must prioritize the application of security patches that address the Synaptics driver vulnerability through proper input validation and privilege enforcement mechanisms. System administrators should implement additional security controls including kernel module signing requirements, restricted driver access permissions, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and represents a classic example of how driver-level security flaws can create pathways for kernel exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for persistence and defense evasion, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.