CVE-2017-0709 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the HTC sensor hub driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-35468048.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0709 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the HTC sensor hub driver component of the Android operating system. This issue resides within the Android kernel subsystem and affects devices manufactured by HTC that incorporate sensor hub functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensor data processing and memory management within the kernel driver responsible for coordinating sensor hub operations. The sensor hub driver acts as an intermediary between various hardware sensors and the Android system, managing data flow and processing sensor inputs. When this driver fails to properly validate or sanitize sensor data, it creates opportunities for unauthorized information disclosure that could potentially expose sensitive system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specific kernel-level operations where the sensor hub driver processes sensor data without adequate access controls or memory boundary checks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract information from kernel memory regions that should remain protected from user-space applications. The vulnerability manifests when the driver handles sensor data structures that contain sensitive information about the device's internal state, hardware configuration, or system memory contents. This type of information disclosure typically occurs through memory leaks, buffer overflows, or improper privilege escalation mechanisms within the driver code. The flaw allows for the retrieval of confidential data that could include system addresses, hardware identifiers, or other sensitive operational parameters that would normally be restricted to kernel-level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0709 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it potentially enables attackers to gain insights into the device's internal architecture and memory layout. This information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or targeted exploitation of other system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects all Android devices running kernel versions that include the affected HTC sensor hub driver implementation, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Android across various device manufacturers. Security researchers have classified this issue as a medium to high severity vulnerability due to its potential for enabling further exploitation and the sensitive nature of the information it can disclose. The vulnerability's impact is particularly significant in enterprise environments where device security is paramount and where attackers might use the disclosed information to conduct advanced persistent threats against corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying security patches provided by HTC and Google through regular Android security updates. System administrators should ensure that all affected devices receive the latest kernel updates that address the sensor hub driver implementation issues. The recommended approach involves updating the Android kernel to versions that properly validate sensor data processing and implement appropriate memory management controls. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information disclosure vulnerabilities in software systems, and represents a concern for organizations following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for information system security. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers might use the disclosed information to craft more effective attack vectors against the compromised system.