CVE-2017-0585 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32475556. References: B-RB#112953.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0585 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This weakness exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the fundamental network communication infrastructure that billions of devices rely upon for wireless connectivity. The issue stems from insufficient boundary checking and memory management within the driver's implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal permission boundaries.
This vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation vector that requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, making it moderately rated within the Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The flaw manifests when the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver fails to properly validate memory access requests, allowing a malicious application to potentially read sensitive data from adjacent memory regions that should be restricted to system-level processes. The underlying technical implementation involves improper handling of buffer operations and memory mapping that creates information leakage opportunities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0585 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially access confidential information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain insights into the device's internal state, potentially leading to more severe compromises including full system control or lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's local nature means it requires physical device access or prior compromise of a legitimate application, but once achieved, it provides persistent access to sensitive system resources.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation activities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many Android devices rely on Broadcom's Wi-Fi chipsets, creating widespread potential impact across multiple device manufacturers. Mitigation strategies should focus on kernel-level patches, proper memory management implementation, and enhanced driver validation mechanisms that prevent unauthorized memory access patterns.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure driver development practices and proper input validation in system-level components. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to address this issue, as well as conduct regular security assessments of device drivers and kernel modules. The Android security team's identification of this issue through their internal tracking system A-32475556 highlights the ongoing need for continuous monitoring and security hardening of core operating system components that interface with hardware peripherals.