CVE-2017-0617 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek video 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-34471002. References: M-ALPS03149173.
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-2017-0617 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek video driver component of Android systems. This weakness exists in the kernel-level driver responsible for handling video processing operations and allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges to kernel level execution. The vulnerability is classified as High severity due to the requirement of first compromising a privileged process, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the serious security implications. The issue affects Android devices that utilize MediaTek chipsets, specifically those employing the affected video driver implementations that lack proper input validation and privilege checking mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the MediaTek video driver kernel module. When a malicious application attempts to invoke specific video processing functions through the driver interface, the kernel module fails to properly validate the data structures and parameters passed to it. This lack of input sanitization creates a path where crafted malicious inputs can manipulate the driver's execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within kernel space. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes video data streams or commands without adequate boundary checking, allowing attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory locations or manipulate execution control flow. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, though the specific implementation involves privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables a local attacker to gain complete system control through kernel-level execution. Once a malicious application successfully exploits this vulnerability, it can bypass all Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies, sandboxing restrictions, and privilege separation controls. The attacker can then access all system resources, read or modify sensitive data, install malicious applications, or even modify the operating system itself. This capability fundamentally undermines the security model of Android systems and can lead to complete device compromise. The vulnerability affects all Android devices using MediaTek chipsets that implement the vulnerable video driver, potentially impacting millions of devices across various manufacturers who utilize MediaTek processors in their mobile devices. The exploitation requires local access and an initial compromise of a privileged process, making it less likely to be exploited remotely but still highly dangerous in scenarios where physical access or prior compromise is achieved.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0617 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The primary solution involves applying the security patches released by MediaTek and device manufacturers to update the video driver components with proper input validation and privilege checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to versions containing the patched drivers, particularly those using MediaTek chipsets. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and behavioral analysis can help detect anomalous driver behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing application control policies to restrict access to potentially malicious applications and ensure that only trusted applications can interact with kernel-level drivers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers, emphasizing the need for proper input validation, memory management, and privilege separation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. Regular security audits of kernel modules and driver implementations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by adversaries.