CVE-2017-0631 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm camera 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-35399756. References: QC-CR#1093232.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0631 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Qualcomm's camera driver implementation that operates at the kernel level of Android devices. This weakness specifically affects Android systems running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal permission boundaries. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the camera driver component, allowing malicious applications to potentially extract sensitive information that should remain restricted to authorized processes. The issue is classified as moderate severity due to its requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, yet this prerequisite does not diminish its potential impact on system security.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the camera driver's kernel module. When a local application attempts to interact with camera hardware resources, the driver fails to properly enforce permission boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to memory regions or data structures containing sensitive information. This allows an attacker with a compromised privileged process to escalate their privileges and access data that would normally be restricted to system-level components. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional application sandboxing mechanisms that protect user data from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation chains. An attacker who has already compromised a privileged process can leverage this weakness to access additional sensitive data, potentially including user credentials, personal information, or other confidential system resources. The attack scenario typically requires an initial foothold within the system through other means, but once achieved, the vulnerability allows for further escalation and data exfiltration. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how kernel-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0631 should focus on both immediate patching and broader system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating their Android systems to versions that include patches for this vulnerability, particularly targeting kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 where the issue occurs. The Qualcomm security advisory QC-CR#1093232 provides specific guidance for addressing this flaw, emphasizing the importance of applying vendor-provided security updates promptly. Additionally, implementing robust process monitoring and privilege separation mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider employing kernel module integrity checks and runtime protection systems that can identify abnormal access patterns to camera driver interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper kernel security implementation and demonstrates how seemingly isolated driver flaws can create significant system-wide security risks when combined with other exploitation techniques. The issue relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and underscores the necessity of implementing strong access control mechanisms at all levels of system architecture to prevent unauthorized data access and privilege escalation.