CVE-2017-0614 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment Communicator 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-35399405. References: QC-CR#1080290.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0614 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment Communicator driver component of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level communication mechanisms that facilitate secure operations between the application processor and the secure execution environment. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions utilizing kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across various mobile devices. The flaw enables a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that normally protect the system's core operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-269 privilege escalation category and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the secure execution environment communicator driver. When a privileged process is compromised, the malicious application can leverage this vulnerability to gain kernel-level privileges without requiring additional exploitation vectors. The attack requires initial compromise of a privileged process, which serves as the initial foothold for the escalation. This prerequisite makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where applications have elevated privileges or where privilege escalation is possible through other attack vectors. The kernel driver's communication interface fails to properly validate the integrity of incoming requests, allowing crafted malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed with kernel-level privileges. This flaw directly impacts the integrity of the Android security model by undermining the isolation between user-space applications and kernel-space operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0614 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel operations. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can manipulate system memory, modify kernel modules, disable security features, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects its potential for enabling sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire device, including the ability to bypass encryption, access sensitive data, and modify system configurations. Mobile devices running affected Android versions become particularly vulnerable to advanced persistent threats where adversaries can leverage this vulnerability to maintain long-term access. The attack surface is further expanded because the exploit can be delivered through standard application installation processes, making it difficult to detect and prevent. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where mobile devices are used to access corporate networks and sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0614 require immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates from device manufacturers and Google. Organizations should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions that include patches for this vulnerability, particularly focusing on kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 which are most affected. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all privileged applications are regularly audited for suspicious behavior. Device manufacturers must ensure proper input validation and access control mechanisms are implemented within secure execution environment drivers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level components and emphasizes the need for rigorous security testing of communication interfaces between secure and non-secure execution environments. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict application installation and monitor for unauthorized system modifications. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that security controls are properly configured to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.