CVE-2017-0636 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek command queue 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: N/A. Android ID: A-35310230. References: M-ALPS03162263.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0636 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek command queue driver component of Android systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for managing command queuing operations on MediaTek-based devices, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, which provides a foothold for more extensive system infiltration. The Android ID A-35310230 and reference M-ALPS03162263 indicate this was tracked within MediaTek's internal vulnerability management systems, highlighting the specific nature of the driver implementation flaw that affects numerous Android devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and memory management within the MediaTek command queue driver, allowing a local malicious application to manipulate kernel data structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability typically involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper access control mechanisms within kernel drivers that handle privileged operations. The attack vector requires local execution capabilities, meaning an application must already have some level of access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The underlying issue demonstrates poor security practices in kernel driver development, specifically in how the driver handles command processing and memory allocation, creating opportunities for privilege escalation through kernel-mode code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0636 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain complete system control, access sensitive data, modify system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Android devices by undermining the isolation between user-space applications and kernel-space operations, allowing malicious code to bypass critical security boundaries. The implications are particularly severe for devices with MediaTek chipsets, which were widely deployed across various Android smartphone and tablet models, potentially affecting millions of users. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and kernel exploitation methods, representing a critical weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected MediaTek driver components and system updates from device manufacturers. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management protocols to ensure timely deployment of security patches, particularly focusing on MediaTek-based devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel driver security reviews and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in CWE categories related to kernel security flaws and privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Device manufacturers must prioritize thorough security testing of driver components and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of such critical vulnerabilities. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for indicators of compromise related to kernel-level attacks and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.