CVE-2017-11014 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 parsing a Measurement Request IE in a Roam Neighbor Action Report, a buffer overflow can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel implementations used in various android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The flaw manifests during the processing of Measurement Request Information Elements within Roam Neighbor Action Reports, which are part of wireless networking protocols used for mobility management in wireless local area networks. The buffer overflow occurs when the kernel fails to properly validate the length of incoming Measurement Request IE data structures before attempting to parse and process them. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues, specifically aligning with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers. The technical implementation involves the kernel's wireless subsystem handling malformed Measurement Request IEs that exceed expected buffer boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device manufacturers and platform versions that utilize the affected Linux kernel components. Mobile devices running these vulnerable systems could experience system instability, crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution if an attacker can craft and inject malicious Measurement Request IEs into the wireless network traffic. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where wireless network management is prevalent, such as enterprise networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots, or any location where devices may receive Roam Neighbor Action Reports from neighboring access points. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it could enable remote exploitation without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where devices frequently communicate with multiple access points during network roaming operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on kernel-level patches and firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the issue resides within the core operating system components. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect abnormal wireless network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and control through wireless protocols, and T1068, involving local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Device vendors should prioritize updating their kernel implementations to properly validate the length of Measurement Request IE data structures before processing, implementing bounds checking mechanisms and input sanitization routines. Additionally, network segmentation and wireless access point configuration updates may help reduce the attack surface by limiting the exposure to potentially malicious wireless management frames. Regular security assessments of wireless network infrastructure and device firmware should be conducted to ensure comprehensive protection against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the wireless networking stack.