CVE-2017-0798 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek kernel. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36100671. References: M-ALPS03365532.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The CVE-2017-0798 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek kernel implementation that affected Android devices. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level subsystem of MediaTek chipsets, which are widely deployed across various Android smartphones and tablets. The issue stems from improper handling of certain kernel operations that allow malicious applications or attackers with lower privileges to escalate their access rights and gain unauthorized administrative control over the device. The vulnerability was identified through extensive analysis of kernel memory management and privilege control mechanisms within the MediaTek platform.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specific kernel function calls that fail to properly validate input parameters or maintain appropriate access controls. The flaw manifests when the kernel processes certain system calls or memory operations that should be restricted to privileged processes but instead permit unprivileged code to manipulate kernel data structures. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing the standard Android security model that separates user applications from system-level operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where all system components operate under the same privileged context.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0798 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to completely compromise device security and access sensitive user data. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access encrypted data, and potentially gain root access to the entire device. This represents a severe threat to user privacy and device integrity, as it can be leveraged to create stealthy malware that operates below the detection capabilities of standard Android security measures. The vulnerability affects all Android devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets, including popular models from manufacturers such as HTC, LG, and various OEMs that incorporated MediaTek processors into their devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and system-level patches from Google. Users should ensure their devices receive the latest security updates, particularly those addressing kernel-level vulnerabilities in MediaTek chipsets. System administrators and security professionals should implement monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Device manufacturers should also consider implementing kernel module integrity checking and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification of kernel components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining kernel security boundaries and proper privilege enforcement mechanisms in mobile operating systems.