CVE-2017-0627 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the kernel UVC driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33300353.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0627 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Linux kernel's USB Video Class driver implementation. This issue specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, where the UVC driver fails to properly validate memory access boundaries during video stream processing operations. The flaw manifests when a local malicious application attempts to exploit improper bounds checking mechanisms within the kernel space, potentially allowing unauthorized data access that should be restricted to privileged processes or specific permission levels. The vulnerability's classification as moderate severity stems from the requirement for an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which serves as an initial foothold for the exploitation sequence.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel's USB Video Class driver component, which handles video capture and streaming operations for USB video devices. When processing video data streams, the UVC driver does not adequately validate the size and boundaries of memory buffers used for video frame processing, creating a potential for memory corruption or unauthorized data access patterns. This flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation could allow a local attacker to read memory locations that contain sensitive data from other processes, potentially including credentials, application data, or system configuration information. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application accesses memory beyond allocated boundaries. The exploitation requires the attacker to first establish a foothold within a privileged process context, which then serves as the launching point for the information disclosure attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0627 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation and lateral movement within Android device environments. While the vulnerability requires initial compromise of a privileged process, once achieved, it provides attackers with capabilities to extract sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation or reconnaissance activities. The affected kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 were prevalent in numerous Android devices released between 2013 and 2016, making this vulnerability widespread across the Android ecosystem. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to access data from other applications, extract cryptographic keys, or gather information that could be used to bypass security controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that UVC drivers are commonly used for webcam functionality and video capture operations on Android devices, providing legitimate access points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0627 primarily focus on kernel-level patching and system hardening approaches. The most effective solution involves updating to kernel versions that contain proper bounds checking implementations within the UVC driver component, which addresses the root cause of the information disclosure vulnerability. Android device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security updates that include kernel patches specifically addressing this issue, particularly for devices running the affected kernel versions. System administrators and security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing process isolation measures and privilege separation controls to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker compromises a privileged process, the information disclosure impact remains limited. Additionally, regular security assessments should include kernel driver vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues that may exist in other kernel subsystems.