CVE-2017-10997 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, using a debugfs node, a write to a PCIe register can cause corruption of kernel memory.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2021
This vulnerability exists within Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that incorporate Android-based devices running Linux kernel versions from the Android Common Audio Framework. The flaw manifests through improper access controls within the debugfs interface, which allows unauthorized write operations to PCIe registers that should remain protected. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of write operations to kernel memory regions, particularly those associated with PCIe configuration spaces that are normally restricted to privileged kernel components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a direct write operation to PCIe registers via debugfs nodes without proper kernel memory protection mechanisms. When an attacker can write to these registers through debugfs, they can manipulate kernel memory structures and potentially corrupt critical data within the kernel address space. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, specifically targeting kernel memory corruption through improper input validation and privilege escalation. The attack vector requires local access to the device with debugfs enabled, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be leveraged to gain kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows for complete kernel memory corruption that can lead to system instability, arbitrary code execution, and potential privilege escalation to root level access. Attackers can manipulate PCIe configuration registers to corrupt kernel data structures, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from CAF that use the Linux kernel, creating a widespread impact across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code at kernel level.
Mitigation strategies should focus on disabling debugfs functionality on production devices or implementing proper access controls and validation checks for PCIe register writes. System administrators should ensure that debugfs nodes are not accessible to unprivileged users and that kernel memory protection mechanisms are properly enforced. The vulnerability can be addressed through kernel updates that implement proper validation of write operations to PCIe registers and through device configuration changes that restrict access to debugfs interfaces. Additionally, implementing proper kernel memory protection features such as stack canaries and memory corruption detection mechanisms can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that monitor for suspicious PCIe register write operations and alert on potential exploitation attempts.