CVE-2017-0604 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the kernel Qualcomm power driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-35392981. References: QC-CR#826589.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0604 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm power driver component of Android operating systems. This kernel-level vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset implementation and provides a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The flaw stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the power management driver that governs hardware power states and system resources. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage the kernel-level access to manipulate system functions, potentially gaining complete control over device operations and bypassing all standard security boundaries that normally protect the Android operating system from unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues in software systems. The flaw manifests when a local application attempts to interact with the Qualcomm power driver through improper kernel interfaces, allowing privilege escalation from user mode to kernel mode execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where all system protections are bypassed, enabling attackers to modify critical system components, access protected memory regions, and potentially install persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the device but does not require network connectivity or user interaction, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical access is possible.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a permanent compromise risk that can render devices unusable without complete system reinstallation. The critical nature of this flaw means that once exploited, attackers can maintain persistent access to the device, potentially modifying system binaries, disabling security features, or creating covert communication channels. The Android ID A-35392981 indicates this was tracked as a significant security issue affecting multiple device models that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. The referenced QC-CR#826589 shows this issue was documented internally by Qualcomm, emphasizing its severity and the need for immediate patching across affected device fleets. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions where the Qualcomm power driver implementation contains the specific privilege escalation flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0604 require immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively addressed through user-level configuration changes. Organizations should prioritize patch management programs that ensure timely deployment of Android security updates, particularly for devices running affected Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access methods that enable persistent system compromise. Device administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect suspicious kernel-level activities and maintain detailed system integrity checks to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of kernel components and driver implementations should be conducted to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities that could provide attackers with similar access levels. The recommended approach includes both immediate patching and long-term security architecture improvements to prevent similar issues in future implementations of power management drivers and kernel interfaces.