CVE-2017-0622 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Goodix touchscreen 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. Android ID: A-32749036. References: QC-CR#1098602.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0622 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Goodix touchscreen driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. This vulnerability exists at the intersection of hardware driver security and operating system privilege management, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges from user-level to kernel-level execution. The issue stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the touchscreen driver's kernel space implementation, which allows a local attacker with a compromised privileged process to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the substantial attack surface it provides, as it requires only a compromised privileged process to achieve kernel-level compromise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such processes might be accessible to malicious applications.
The technical flaw manifests in the Goodix touchscreen driver's handling of ioctl (input/output control) commands and data structures that are processed within kernel space. When a malicious application successfully compromises a privileged process, it can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate kernel memory through crafted input data or command sequences that bypass normal privilege checks. The driver's insufficient validation of user-supplied data during kernel operations creates a condition where malicious input can be interpreted as legitimate kernel commands, leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-119, which describes improper access to memory locations, and specifically relates to CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle that kernel drivers should maintain strict isolation between user space and kernel space operations, but fails to properly validate or sanitize inputs received from potentially malicious sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0622 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Android systems by allowing attackers to gain complete control over kernel operations. Once a malicious application achieves kernel-level execution, it can bypass all security mechanisms including SELinux policies, file system permissions, and other kernel-level protections. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used to install rootkits, modify system binaries, access encrypted data, or establish backdoors that persist across reboots. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a compromised privileged process, which may occur through various attack vectors such as phishing, malicious app installation, or other initial compromise techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it provides a direct path to system compromise without requiring additional privileges or complex attack chains. The impact is further amplified by the fact that touchscreen drivers are typically always running and accessible to system processes, making the attack surface readily available.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0622 focus on both immediate patching and operational security improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches that address the specific input validation issues within the Goodix touchscreen driver. Organizations should also implement robust process monitoring and privilege separation to minimize the risk of a compromised privileged process being used as an attack vector. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help prevent malicious applications from gaining the necessary privileges to exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of kernel modules and drivers to identify similar issues that may exist in other components. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may use the compromised kernel access to execute additional malicious code. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel components and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect anomalous kernel activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.