CVE-2017-0610 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm 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: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-35399404. References: QC-CR#1094852.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0610 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's sound driver implementation on Android devices. This weakness exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly dangerous as it affects a fundamental system component that handles audio processing and communication with hardware drivers. The vulnerability allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing Android's security model and potentially compromising the entire device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the sound driver's kernel module. Attackers can leverage this flaw by first compromising a privileged process, which then serves as a launching point to gain kernel-level access. This approach aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-mode vulnerabilities. The issue is classified as a CWE-20, representing a weakness in input validation that leads to privilege escalation, making it a prime target for sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access to mobile devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0610 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain complete control over device functions, access sensitive user data, and potentially install persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, which is often achievable through social engineering, phishing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the Android ecosystem. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning as it can be chained with other exploits to achieve full device compromise without user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected kernel versions through Android security updates, as well as implementing additional security controls such as kernel address space layout randomization and exploit protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel modules and the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers, particularly those handling hardware interfaces like audio processing components. This flaw serves as a reminder of the critical security implications when hardware drivers are not properly validated for privilege handling and input sanitization, as outlined in the CWE database's classification of input validation weaknesses leading to privilege escalation scenarios.