CVE-2017-0790 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Broadcom wi-fi driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-37357704. References: B-V2017053101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0790 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This issue specifically affects the wireless networking subsystem where the kernel driver fails to properly validate input parameters during certain operations, creating a pathway for malicious code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input sanitization mechanisms within the driver's kernel-space implementation, allowing local attackers with compromised Wi-Fi connectivity to potentially escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted Wi-Fi frames or network packets that trigger improper memory handling within the Broadcom driver module. When the kernel processes these malformed inputs, it executes code that bypasses normal privilege checks and access controls, enabling an attacker to gain unauthorized system-level capabilities. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, as the driver's memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries during Wi-Fi frame processing operations. The vulnerability exists in the kernel's wireless subsystem where the Broadcom driver handles incoming network traffic without sufficient validation of packet headers or payload data structures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android devices since it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete device compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious applications, modify system files, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors on affected devices. The attack vector requires local network access or the ability to inject malicious Wi-Fi frames into the network, making it particularly concerning for public Wi-Fi environments where attackers might exploit this vulnerability without physical device access. The vulnerability affects all Android versions that utilize the affected Broadcom Wi-Fi driver components, creating widespread exposure across numerous device models and manufacturers.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0790 primarily involve applying official security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, which typically include enhanced input validation routines and improved memory management within the kernel driver. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Android devices, particularly those used in enterprise environments where security is paramount. Additionally, network administrators can implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Wi-Fi traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious payloads through compromised network access. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to further reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.