CVE-2017-11024 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 race condition in the rmnet USB control driver can potentially lead to a Use After Free condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11024 represents a critical race condition flaw within the rmnet USB control driver component of Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel. This issue affects multiple platform variants including android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android, specifically targeting devices that incorporate Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and related chipsets. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the driver's implementation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit temporal gaps during driver operations. The race condition manifests when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared resources simultaneously without proper mutual exclusion controls, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability results in a Use After Free condition, where memory allocated to kernel space objects is accessed after being freed, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the Linux kernel's USB subsystem, specifically within the rmnet driver responsible for managing mobile network connections over USB interfaces. The race condition occurs during the handling of USB control messages, where concurrent access to driver data structures can cause memory management operations to execute in incorrect sequences. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions, and more precisely to CWE-415, which covers Double Free conditions that can arise from improper resource management. The exploitation requires careful timing and knowledge of the underlying driver architecture, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through standard security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11024 extends beyond simple system instability, potentially enabling attackers to achieve complete system compromise with elevated privileges. This vulnerability can be leveraged to execute malicious code within kernel space, bypassing standard user-mode security controls and access restrictions. The affected platforms include numerous smartphones, tablets, and embedded devices running Qualcomm-based Android systems, creating widespread exposure across multiple device manufacturers and carrier networks. Attackers could exploit this condition to install persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or extract sensitive user data from affected devices. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel's USB driver stack means that any device utilizing USB networking capabilities for mobile data connections could be compromised, potentially affecting both personal and enterprise devices. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1059, covering Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the kernel context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11024 require immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates provided by device manufacturers and the Android Open Source Project. Organizations should prioritize deployment of kernel-level patches that address the race condition in the rmnet USB control driver, ensuring proper synchronization mechanisms are implemented to prevent concurrent access violations. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous USB activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also enforcing strict access controls on USB interfaces that connect to mobile network devices. The vulnerability's nature suggests that comprehensive system hardening measures should include kernel module whitelisting, USB device authorization controls, and regular security audits of kernel components. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while incident response procedures should be updated to include specific detection and remediation protocols for kernel-level race condition exploits. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing runtime integrity checks and enhanced memory protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar timing-based vulnerabilities in future releases.