CVE-2017-0611 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-35393841. References: QC-CR#1084210.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0611 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's sound driver implementation on Android devices. This weakness exists in the kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the underlying operating system architecture that governs device functionality. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level where a malicious application with local access could potentially escalate its privileges to kernel level execution, thereby gaining complete control over the device's core operations. The security implications are severe as this flaw allows for arbitrary code execution within the kernel context, bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect the operating system's core components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege management within the Qualcomm sound driver component. When a local application interacts with the audio subsystem through the vulnerable driver, it can manipulate kernel memory structures or function pointers to redirect execution flow. This type of flaw typically arises from insufficient bounds checking or improper handling of user-supplied data within kernel space operations. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the requirement for an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which creates a more complex attack vector but still represents a significant security weakness. The attack surface is particularly concerning as audio drivers are frequently accessed and interact with various system components during normal device operation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for Android devices running the affected kernel versions, as it enables attackers to gain root-level access to the device. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as kernel-level execution allows for complete system compromise including data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and modification of critical system files. Mobile devices utilizing these vulnerable kernels become susceptible to sophisticated attacks that can persist across reboots and remain undetected by standard security monitoring tools. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android devices manufactured by various OEMs that rely on Qualcomm's audio driver implementations, creating widespread potential for exploitation across multiple device models and generations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0611 should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates or manufacturer-specific firmware updates. System administrators and device users should prioritize applying security patches promptly as the vulnerability creates a direct path to complete system compromise. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual audio driver access patterns can provide additional defensive layers. Organizations should consider network-based detection measures that monitor for suspicious kernel-level activity or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in kernel drivers, aligning with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories that address buffer overflow conditions and improper privilege management. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and kernel-mode exploitation methods that adversaries can leverage to establish persistent access to target systems.