CVE-2017-0795 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek accessory detector driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36198473. References: M-ALPS03361480.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0795 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek accessory detector driver component of Android kernel implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets and resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for detecting and managing connected accessories. The issue stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the driver's handling of accessory detection events, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from unprivileged user contexts to kernel-level execution.
The technical flaw manifests through a buffer overflow condition in the accessory detector driver's processing of malformed accessory identification data. When the driver receives specially crafted accessory information from connected devices, it fails to properly validate the input size before copying data into fixed-size buffers. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting kernel data structures or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly enables privilege escalation by allowing arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices. Once exploited, adversaries can manipulate device firmware, access sensitive user data, install malicious applications, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all Android versions running on MediaTek chipsets, making it particularly widespread across the mobile ecosystem. Security researchers have noted that exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as the malicious accessory detection can occur automatically when devices connect to compromised accessories, making it a significant threat vector for targeted attacks and supply chain compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0795 primarily focus on patching the affected MediaTek driver components through official Android security updates. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out firmware updates that address the buffer overflow in the accessory detector driver, with particular attention to the kernel-level code modifications required to prevent improper memory handling. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious accessory connection patterns and consider device enrollment in secure boot environments that prevent unauthorized kernel module loading. Additionally, security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected MediaTek chipsets and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation, and demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security in mobile device ecosystems where hardware-specific drivers can create persistent attack vectors.