CVE-2017-0706 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Broadcom wi-fi driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-35195787. References: B-RB#120532.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0706 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level Wi-Fi subsystem that interfaces with Broadcom's wireless networking hardware, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from unprivileged user contexts to full system-level access. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the driver's kernel space implementation, allowing crafted malicious payloads to exploit buffer overflow conditions or improper privilege checks during Wi-Fi configuration operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through kernel-level memory corruption that can be triggered by manipulating Wi-Fi driver parameters or network configuration settings. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the Wi-Fi subsystem through kernel interfaces, the flawed validation logic fails to properly sanitize input data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where all system operations are subject to the executing process's privileges, making it an ideal target for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables adversaries to gain complete system control without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors. Once exploited, the attacker can modify system files, install malicious applications, access all user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through standard Android applications that request Wi-Fi permissions, making the exploitation vector accessible through seemingly legitimate software. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model by undermining the kernel-level protection mechanisms that are designed to isolate user-space processes from system-critical resources and operations. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting specific Wi-Fi configuration parameters that trigger the vulnerable code path, followed by executing payload code that leverages the elevated privileges to gain full system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0706 primarily focus on kernel-level patching and driver updates that address the specific buffer overflow conditions within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver implementation. Android security patches released in subsequent updates include fixes that implement proper bounds checking, memory validation, and privilege verification mechanisms within the kernel Wi-Fi subsystem. Organizations should ensure comprehensive patch management programs that include immediate deployment of security updates for all affected Android devices, particularly those running kernel versions that contain the vulnerable Broadcom driver components. The mitigation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques by addressing the underlying kernel-level vulnerabilities that enable such attacks. Additional defensive measures include implementing application sandboxing policies, monitoring for suspicious Wi-Fi driver interactions, and maintaining network segmentation to limit potential exploitation impact. Device manufacturers and security teams should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect anomalous kernel memory access patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure kernel development practices and proper input validation in system-level components that interface with hardware drivers, as these components form critical attack surfaces that can compromise entire device security models.