CVE-2017-11003 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android, with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, while updating a firmware image, data is read from flash into RAM without checking that the data fits into allotted RAM size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
This vulnerability exists in Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel from the Qualcomm Android Flashing (CAF) framework, affecting various device types including MSM hardware platforms and Firefox OS devices. The flaw occurs during firmware update processes when the system reads data from flash storage directly into RAM without performing adequate bounds checking on the data size. This represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can lead to memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low level within the firmware update mechanism, where system integrity is paramount and malicious actors could exploit this weakness to compromise device security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during firmware image processing within the Linux kernel subsystem. When firmware updates are applied, the system performs a direct memory copy operation from flash storage to RAM without verifying whether the incoming data exceeds the allocated buffer space. This allows an attacker to craft malicious firmware images that deliberately exceed the expected data size, causing the system to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. The lack of bounds checking creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited through carefully constructed input data. This flaw aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write categories, representing a fundamental security gap in memory management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the firmware update context. Given that firmware updates typically occur with elevated system privileges and can modify critical system components, successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially install persistent backdoors, modify boot loaders, or gain root access to the device. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF that utilize the Linux kernel, creating a widespread exposure across numerous device models and manufacturers. This makes it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across multiple device types simultaneously, representing a significant threat to mobile device security and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms during firmware update operations and enforcing strict memory allocation limits. System administrators should ensure that all firmware updates are performed through legitimate channels and that device firmware is kept current with vendor security patches. The implementation of secure boot mechanisms and code signing verification can help prevent unauthorized firmware modifications from reaching vulnerable systems. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous firmware update activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices and adherence to secure coding standards, particularly in low-level system components where memory management errors can have catastrophic consequences. The flaw underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of firmware update mechanisms and highlights the critical importance of validating all external inputs before processing them within system memory.