CVE-2017-0708 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the HTC sound driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-35384879.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0708 represents an information disclosure flaw within the HTC sound driver component of the Android operating system. This issue specifically affects the Android kernel version and was tracked under Android ID A-35384879. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of kernel memory regions within the sound driver subsystem, creating potential exposure of sensitive data to unauthorized processes. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in mobile operating systems where kernel-level components handle critical audio processing functions and maintain access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the HTC sound driver module. When the driver processes audio data or handles kernel memory allocations, it fails to properly validate or sanitize memory access patterns, allowing malicious applications or processes to potentially read kernel memory contents. This flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation could provide access to sensitive system information including memory addresses, kernel data structures, and potentially confidential audio processing information. The vulnerability manifests through improper access control mechanisms that should normally prevent user-space applications from accessing kernel memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0708 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the Android ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into kernel memory layouts, which would significantly aid in developing further exploits targeting other kernel components. This information disclosure capability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized entities to access sensitive data. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for privilege escalation attacks, as knowledge of kernel memory structures can be leveraged to bypass security boundaries and gain elevated privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions through official security updates from HTC and Google. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant security patches that address the improper memory handling within the sound driver module. Additionally, implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and proper access control enforcement can help reduce the exploitation surface. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and implementing application sandboxing measures to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068 suggests that it could be used as a stepping stone for privilege escalation and should be treated as a critical security concern requiring immediate attention.