CVE-2017-0633 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver could enable a local malicious component 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-36000515. References: B-RB#117131.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0633 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue manifests in the kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, affecting the broader Android ecosystem and specifically impacting the Android ID A-36000515. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Wi-Fi driver implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that extends beyond normal permission boundaries. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly concerning as it can potentially be exploited to access sensitive system information that should remain restricted to privileged processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure," and more specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms within kernel drivers. The flaw allows a local malicious component to access data outside of its permission levels, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. This occurs due to insufficient validation of memory access requests within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver, enabling an attacker to potentially read kernel memory or access sensitive data structures that should remain protected. The vulnerability requires initial compromise of a privileged process as a prerequisite, but once achieved, it can provide access to data that would normally be restricted to higher privilege levels within the kernel space.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0633 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates potential pathways for further exploitation within the Android system architecture. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive system information, including but not limited to memory contents, kernel data structures, or other privileged information that could be used to escalate privileges or discover additional vulnerabilities. The fact that this vulnerability operates within the kernel space means that successful exploitation could potentially provide attackers with capabilities that extend far beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling full system compromise. The rating of Moderate severity reflects the requirement for an initial compromise of a privileged process, but this prerequisite does not diminish the potential impact once achieved.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and broader system hardening approaches. The primary recommendation involves applying the relevant security patches provided by Google and Broadcom to update the affected kernel versions. Additionally, implementing proper access control mechanisms and memory protection features within the Android system can help reduce the attack surface. Security researchers should consider the vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly the techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or unauthorized data access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive kernel security testing and the need for robust privilege separation mechanisms within mobile operating system architectures.