CVE-2017-0792 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Broadcom wi-fi driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-37305578. References: B-V2017052301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0792 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This weakness resides in the fundamental network communication stack that governs wireless connectivity for countless mobile devices worldwide. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during Wi-Fi driver operations, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exposure that could compromise sensitive system information. The affected Android kernel versions demonstrate a fundamental design flaw in how the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver manages memory allocation and access controls during routine wireless operations.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specific sequences of Wi-Fi driver interactions that trigger memory corruption patterns. The flaw manifests when the driver processes certain Wi-Fi frame types or manages memory buffers in ways that leave sensitive kernel memory contents accessible to user-space applications. This occurs due to inadequate bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms within the driver's implementation. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the driver handles memory mapping operations and buffer management during wireless packet processing, creating a pathway for information leakage that aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract kernel memory contents including potentially sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session information, or other confidential system parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0792 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security boundaries between user-space applications and kernel memory regions. This information disclosure vulnerability can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the device's internal state, potentially facilitating more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability's presence in the Android kernel means that any application with appropriate permissions could theoretically access sensitive kernel memory, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments where mobile devices handle confidential data. This weakness directly impacts the Android security model's integrity and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables information gathering activities that support further attack vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack techniques, as it provides crucial information needed for advanced exploitation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0792 require immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions through official security updates from device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the patched kernel versions that address the specific memory handling flaws in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver implementation. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Wi-Fi driver behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers should consider implementing additional memory protection mechanisms and stricter access controls for kernel memory regions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how flaws in device drivers can create systemic security risks across entire device ecosystems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other driver components and ensure comprehensive protection against information disclosure threats.