CVE-2017-11027 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 flashing UBI image, size is not validated for being smaller than minimum header size causing unintialized data access vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11027 represents a critical uninitialized data access flaw affecting multiple Android-based platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. This issue specifically manifests during the Universal Boot Image (UBI) flashing process within the Linux kernel framework used by these devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of UBI image sizes during the flashing procedure, creating a scenario where images smaller than the minimum required header size can be processed without proper bounds checking.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper size validation mechanisms within the UBI subsystem of the Linux kernel implementation used by these mobile platforms. When a UBI image is flashed, the system expects a minimum header size to contain essential metadata and structural information required for proper image handling. However, the current implementation fails to validate that incoming UBI images meet this minimum size requirement before proceeding with data processing operations. This validation gap allows attackers to craft specially formatted UBI images that are smaller than the expected header size, leading to uninitialized memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories and manufacturers utilizing the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) based Linux kernel implementations. Mobile devices running on MSM processors, Firefox OS systems, and QRD Android variants all share this common vulnerability due to their reliance on the same underlying kernel components. The uninitialized data access creates potential pathways for information disclosure, system instability, and could potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques depending on the specific device implementation and memory layout. This affects a broad spectrum of Android devices and embedded systems that depend on CAF's kernel modifications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.005: Command and Scripting Interpreter - Visual Basic and T1547.001: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution. The uninitialized memory access could potentially allow adversaries to extract sensitive information from memory regions that were not properly initialized, or to manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted UBI images. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where physical access to devices may be limited, but over-the-air updates or device provisioning processes could be exploited to deliver malicious UBI images.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11027 require implementing comprehensive size validation checks within the UBI subsystem before any data processing occurs. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all UBI image flashing operations include mandatory size validation against minimum header requirements. The fix should be implemented at the kernel level in the UBI driver code to prevent processing of images that do not meet the established minimum size criteria. Additionally, proper input sanitization and bounds checking mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the UBI handling pipeline. Regular firmware updates and security patches should be deployed to address this vulnerability across affected device fleets, with particular attention to devices that may be used in enterprise or security-critical environments where the potential for exploitation remains high.