CVE-2017-11016 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, when memory allocation fails while creating a calibration block in create_cal_block stale pointers are left uncleared.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
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 memory allocation processes when creating calibration blocks, specifically when the system encounters allocation failures during the create_cal_block function execution. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where stale pointers remain uncleared when memory allocation fails, creating a persistent reference to previously allocated memory regions that may have been freed or reallocated.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's memory management subsystem where the create_cal_block function fails to properly handle allocation failure scenarios. When memory allocation fails, the system should clear or invalidate any pointers that were partially initialized or allocated, but instead leaves stale pointers in memory. This condition creates a potential for information disclosure or system instability since these stale pointers may contain sensitive data from previous allocations or may point to invalid memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in foundational kernel components that handle hardware calibration and system configuration processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11016 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially enable attackers to extract sensitive information from memory through the stale pointer references. This type of vulnerability can be leveraged in information disclosure attacks where adversaries might be able to read data from previously allocated memory blocks that should have been cleared. The vulnerability affects multiple Android variants and hardware platforms, making it a widespread concern for device manufacturers and security professionals. The issue represents a classic memory management flaw that can be exploited in various attack scenarios including privilege escalation or data extraction from system memory.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on ensuring proper memory cleanup procedures during allocation failures, implementing robust error handling in kernel memory management functions, and conducting thorough code reviews for similar patterns in memory allocation functions. System administrators should ensure that affected devices receive timely security updates from their manufacturers, as this vulnerability requires kernel-level patches to address the root cause. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-459, which describes incomplete cleanup of resources, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1063 for credential access through memory dumps. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive testing procedures that include memory allocation failure scenarios to prevent similar issues in future implementations.