CVE-2017-11025 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, due to a race condition in the function audio_effects_shared_ioctl(), memory corruption can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11025 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Linux kernel implementation of audio effects handling on Android devices. This issue affects multiple Android variants including MSM (Mobile Services Module) platforms, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android implementations. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the audio_effects_shared_ioctl() function, which serves as a critical interface for managing audio effects processing in embedded mobile systems. The race condition occurs when multiple concurrent processes attempt to access shared memory resources without proper locking mechanisms, creating a window where memory corruption can manifest during audio effect operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent timing discrepancies in kernel-level audio processing operations. When audio effects are applied through the shared ioctl interface, multiple threads or processes may simultaneously attempt to modify shared memory structures containing audio effect parameters or control data. This concurrent access without adequate mutual exclusion leads to unpredictable memory state changes where data structures become corrupted or overwritten with invalid values. The flaw specifically manifests in the audio_effects_shared_ioctl() function where the kernel fails to implement proper synchronization primitives to protect shared memory regions during concurrent modifications. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-362, which classifies race conditions in concurrent programming, and represents a classic example of improper locking mechanisms in kernel space operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11025 extends beyond simple audio processing failures to potentially compromise system stability and security. Memory corruption in kernel space can lead to system crashes, application instability, and in severe cases may enable privilege escalation attacks. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources or manipulate audio processing pipelines to create denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects devices running Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) using the Linux kernel, which encompasses a significant portion of mobile devices from various manufacturers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging kernel-level race conditions to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper synchronization mechanisms. Device manufacturers should ensure all affected platforms receive timely kernel updates that address the race condition in audio_effects_shared_ioctl() through proper mutex or semaphore implementations. System administrators should monitor for patched kernel versions and ensure complete deployment across all affected devices. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canary mechanisms can help reduce exploitability. The fix typically involves adding appropriate locking mechanisms around shared memory access points within the audio effects subsystem, ensuring that concurrent access to audio effect parameters is properly serialized to prevent the race condition from manifesting. Organizations should also implement comprehensive testing procedures to validate that audio effect processing operations maintain stability under concurrent access conditions.