CVE-2017-0651 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the kernel ION subsystem could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Low because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-35644815.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0651 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android kernel's ION subsystem, which serves as a memory management framework for efficient buffer allocation and sharing across different kernel components and user-space applications. This vulnerability exists at the kernel level and specifically targets the ION memory allocator implementation that is responsible for managing shared memory buffers used by various Android services and applications. The flaw allows for unauthorized data access that could potentially expose sensitive information beyond what a malicious application should normally have access to, creating a significant security risk in the Android operating system ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the ION subsystem where kernel memory regions are not adequately protected from unauthorized access attempts. When a local malicious application exploits this weakness, it can potentially read memory contents that belong to other processes or kernel components, effectively bypassing normal permission boundaries that should protect system integrity. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a classic case of insufficient access control where kernel memory spaces are not properly isolated from user-space applications. The attack vector requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which aligns with the low severity rating, but once achieved, the impact can be substantial as it enables further escalation and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0651 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides a potential pathway for attackers to gather sensitive system information, credentials, or application data that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects Android devices running kernel version 3.18, which was prevalent in many Android versions from 2015-2016, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1003 (OS Credential Dumping) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables an attacker to access sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or system compromise. The fact that it requires initial compromise of a privileged process means that attackers must first establish a foothold, but the subsequent access to kernel memory provides a significant advantage in maintaining persistence and escalating privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the appropriate security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, which typically include modifications to the ION subsystem's memory management routines to properly enforce access controls and prevent unauthorized memory access. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize updating affected Android devices to versions that contain the patched kernel components, particularly focusing on devices running kernel 3.18 or similar vulnerable versions. Additionally, implementing proper process isolation, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider network-based monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory access violations, as this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to compromise entire Android systems.