CVE-2017-11005 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, a Use After Free condition can occur during a deinitialization path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11005 represents a critical use after free condition that affects multiple Android variants including MSM, Firefox OS, and QRD Android platforms. This flaw exists within the Linux kernel components utilized by these systems, specifically manifesting during the deinitialization process of certain kernel modules or drivers. The issue stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory regions are accessed after being released, creating potential security risks for the affected platforms. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) that utilize the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across various mobile and embedded systems that rely on these kernel implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-416 category of use after free conditions, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed by the system. During the deinitialization path, kernel components may attempt to access memory structures that have already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior that could be exploited by malicious actors. This particular flaw demonstrates poor resource management where the kernel fails to properly track memory allocation states during cleanup operations, creating opportunities for memory corruption that could lead to privilege escalation or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in kernel space, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11005 extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates potential entry points for attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. Attackers could potentially leverage this use after free condition to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing traditional security boundaries. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel components used by multiple Android variants means that a successful exploitation could affect a broad range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and mobile environments where these systems are commonly deployed, as it could enable attackers to gain persistent access to networks and sensitive data. The deinitialization context suggests that the flaw may be triggered during system shutdown or driver unloading processes, making it potentially exploitable during normal system operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of memory safety checks within the kernel modules. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched kernel versions that address the memory management issues in the deinitialization paths. Additionally, implementing runtime memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can help reduce the exploitability of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider deploying kernel-based security modules that can detect and prevent use after free conditions, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive memory management testing and code review processes, particularly for kernel-level components where memory safety is paramount for system integrity and security.