CVE-2017-11044 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, in a KGSL driver function, a race condition exists which can lead to a Use After Free condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11044 represents a critical race condition flaw within the KGSL (Kernel Graphics Subsystem Library) driver component of Android-based systems developed by Qualcomm. This issue affects multiple Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum and encompasses various Qualcomm MSM (Multi-System Module) platforms. The vulnerability manifests in the Linux kernel environment where the KGSL driver manages graphics processing unit operations, creating a scenario where concurrent access to shared resources can result in improper memory management. The race condition occurs during the execution of driver functions that handle graphics memory allocation and deallocation processes, establishing a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit temporal inconsistencies in the system's memory management mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from a Use After Free condition that emerges when the KGSL driver fails to properly synchronize access to graphics memory objects. During concurrent operations involving graphics processing tasks, multiple threads or processes can attempt to access the same memory region simultaneously, leading to a situation where one thread deallocates memory while another thread attempts to reference it. This flaw specifically impacts the kernel-level graphics subsystem where memory management operations are not adequately protected by proper locking mechanisms or synchronization primitives. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-362 category of Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization, which directly maps to the race condition characteristics observed in this exploit. The improper handling of memory references in kernel space creates an avenue for privilege escalation attacks where malicious code can manipulate freed memory locations to execute arbitrary instructions or corrupt system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11044 extends beyond simple memory corruption, presenting significant security implications for mobile devices running affected Android variants. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially gain elevated privileges within the kernel space, enabling them to bypass security boundaries that normally protect system resources and user data. The Use After Free condition allows for arbitrary code execution in kernel context, which can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. This vulnerability affects devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and other MSM-based platforms, making it particularly concerning for mobile security since it operates at the kernel level where the most critical system functions reside. The attack surface includes graphics-intensive applications, system services that utilize GPU acceleration, and any process that interacts with the KGSL driver for graphics processing operations, creating a broad range of potential exploitation vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected kernel components and proper synchronization mechanisms within the KGSL driver implementation. System administrators should prioritize applying security updates from device manufacturers and Qualcomm to address the race condition in memory management operations. The fix typically involves implementing proper mutex locking or other synchronization primitives to ensure exclusive access to graphics memory objects during allocation and deallocation cycles. Security researchers recommend conducting thorough code reviews of kernel driver components to identify similar race condition vulnerabilities in other subsystems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel-mode exploitation, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation tactic and T1059 command and scripting interpreter sub-technique. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual graphics processing activities and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should consider implementing kernel memory protection features such as stack canaries, memory randomization, and exploit detection mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against similar race condition vulnerabilities.