CVE-2017-0620 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Secure Channel Manager 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-35401052. References: QC-CR#1081711.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0620 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm Secure Channel Manager driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level subsystem that manages secure communication channels between various system components and external entities. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across numerous mobile devices. The flaw allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the Secure Channel Manager driver implementation. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the driver through specific system calls or interfaces, it can manipulate the driver's behavior to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges and Access Controls" and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking. The vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process to achieve the elevation of privilege, which aligns with the high severity rating as it represents a multi-step attack vector that must be carefully executed by adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0620 is substantial as it allows for complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Once an attacker gains kernel-level execution privileges, they can bypass all security mechanisms including SELinux policies, Android's permission model, and other runtime protections. This enables the attacker to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, extract sensitive data, and potentially modify the device's boot process. The vulnerability affects the core security architecture of Android devices, particularly those manufactured by Qualcomm, making it a significant concern for enterprise security and mobile device management. The issue's presence in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 means that a large number of devices could be affected, particularly older Android smartphones and tablets that have not received security updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary remediation involves applying the appropriate security patches provided by Qualcomm and Google, which typically include kernel-level updates that fix the privilege escalation mechanism. Organizations should prioritize updating devices running affected kernel versions to ensure that the Secure Channel Manager driver properly validates all inputs and maintains appropriate privilege boundaries. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts can provide early warning capabilities. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," highlights the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures that can detect and prevent such privilege escalation activities. System administrators should also consider implementing device hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary kernel modules and restricting access to privileged system interfaces to minimize the attack surface available to potential adversaries.