CVE-2017-0625 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the MediaTek command queue driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to access sensitive data without explicit user permission. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-35142799. References: M-ALPS03161531.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0625 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the MediaTek command queue driver component of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for managing command queues in MediaTek-based mobile devices, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation through improper memory access controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the boundary checking mechanisms within the driver's command processing logic, allowing malicious applications with limited privileges to traverse memory boundaries and access data that should be restricted to higher privilege levels.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the MediaTek driver implementation. When processing commands through the queue system, the driver fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and access permissions, creating a classic buffer overflow scenario that can be leveraged to read arbitrary memory locations. This flaw aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability exists in the kernel space where the driver operates with elevated privileges, making the information disclosure particularly dangerous as it can potentially expose sensitive system data, user credentials, or confidential application information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices running MediaTek processors, as it enables local malicious applications to bypass normal security restrictions and access data that would typically be protected by the operating system's permission model. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enabling further exploitation techniques such as privilege escalation, credential harvesting, or access to secure application data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from system memory, including cryptographic keys, user authentication tokens, or private application data. The local nature of the exploit means that only applications already installed on the device need to be compromised, making the attack vector more accessible than remote exploitation methods.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain where initial compromise occurs through a malicious application, followed by privilege escalation using this information disclosure flaw to gain access to system-level resources. Mitigation strategies should focus on patching the MediaTek driver components through official Android security updates, implementing proper memory access controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of kernel-level drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing measures and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of embedded system components and adherence to secure coding practices for kernel drivers should be prioritized to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel driver security implementation and the potential consequences of inadequate memory management in system-level components. Given that MediaTek processors are widely used across various Android device manufacturers, the impact of this vulnerability extends to a significant portion of the mobile device ecosystem, highlighting the need for coordinated security responses and comprehensive patch management across the Android platform.