CVE-2017-0615 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek power 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: N/A. Android ID: A-34259126. References: M-ALPS03150278.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0615 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek power driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level power management subsystem that controls hardware power states and device operations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the driver code that handles power-related system calls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first compromising a privileged process, which then serves as a foothold to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized kernel-level access. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vector where a local malicious application can leverage existing system privileges to execute arbitrary code with the highest system permissions, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition or improper access control in the power driver's ioctl (input/output control) interface. When legitimate system processes interact with the power management driver through standard kernel interfaces, the driver fails to properly validate the privileges of the calling process or validate the parameters of the system calls. This allows a malicious application with limited privileges to craft specific inputs that trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel driver. The vulnerability operates under CWE-264, which classifies improper privileges in the power driver, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. The MediaTek power driver implementation lacks proper authentication and authorization checks, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate kernel-level operations through carefully crafted inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0615 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over the device's power management functions and potentially access other kernel-level resources. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can manipulate system power states, disable security features, modify critical system files, and establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability affects all Android devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets and represents a significant threat to device security, as it allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms such as SELinux policies and Android's permission model. The requirement for an initial compromise of a privileged process makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where applications have elevated privileges, such as system applications or those with special permissions. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many legitimate system processes interact with the power driver, providing multiple potential entry points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on system updates and patch management, as the issue requires a kernel-level fix from the device manufacturer or chipset vendor. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security patches that address the power driver implementation and strengthen access controls within the kernel. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual power management activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also enforcing strict application sandboxing policies to limit the potential impact of compromised privileged processes. Device manufacturers should consider implementing additional kernel hardening measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and enhanced privilege validation checks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of low-level system components that handle critical hardware functions. Additionally, implementing runtime protection mechanisms and behavioral analysis tools can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts before they succeed.