CVE-2017-0649 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek sound driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process and because of vulnerability specific details which limit the impact of the issue. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-34468195. References: M-ALPS03162283.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0649 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within MediaTek's sound driver implementation on Android devices. This weakness exists in the kernel-level audio subsystem and allows a locally installed malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the sound driver component, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that bypass standard Android security mechanisms. The issue specifically affects MediaTek chipsets and demonstrates how hardware-specific drivers can introduce security risks that impact the entire operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first gain access to a privileged process or application that can interact with the sound driver interface. Once this initial compromise is achieved, the malicious code can leverage the driver's insufficient validation checks to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This flaw falls under CWE-119 which describes weaknesses related to improper handling of memory buffers and insufficient input validation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where the attacker gains complete control over the device's system resources and can potentially access all stored data, modify system files, and establish persistent backdoors.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts Android device security as it allows attackers to bypass the standard Android permission model and gain root access to affected devices. The moderate rating reflects the requirement for initial compromise of a privileged process, but this requirement does not mitigate the severity of the potential impact. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, modify system configurations, or create persistent access points. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual device compromise as it affects all devices using MediaTek chipsets that are running vulnerable versions of the Android operating system. Security researchers have noted that this type of kernel-level privilege escalation vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by applications that are granted legitimate system permissions, making detection more difficult.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0649 should focus on immediate firmware and software updates from device manufacturers, as well as implementing additional security measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and enhanced input validation. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious system behavior and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and demonstrates how attackers can exploit driver vulnerabilities to gain system-level access. Device manufacturers must prioritize timely security patches and maintain robust vulnerability management processes to address similar issues in hardware drivers, as this type of vulnerability represents a common attack surface that can lead to complete system compromise.