CVE-2017-11049 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 video driver, a race condition exists which can potentially lead to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11049 represents a critical race condition flaw within the video driver component of Android-based systems, specifically affecting devices utilizing the Linux kernel framework. This issue manifests in multiple Android variants including MSM (Mobile Services Module) platforms, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum. The race condition occurs during video processing operations where concurrent access to shared memory resources creates unpredictable execution paths that can result in memory corruption. The flaw exists at the kernel level within the video driver subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges and can potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the video driver's memory management routines. When multiple processes or threads attempt to access video buffer memory simultaneously, the race condition allows for overlapping memory operations that can exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This condition is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming environments. The buffer overflow resulting from this race condition can lead to memory corruption that may be leveraged for arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where the attacker can potentially gain root access to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11049 extends across numerous mobile platforms and device types that utilize Qualcomm's MSM architecture. Devices running Android versions from CAF repositories, including those using the Linux kernel with video driver components, are at risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in Firefox OS for MSM platforms indicates it affects both proprietary and open-source mobile operating systems. Attackers can potentially exploit this flaw through malicious video content or applications that trigger the specific race condition scenario. The attack surface includes multimedia applications, video streaming services, and any software that utilizes the affected video driver functionality. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates from device manufacturers and software vendors, as the flaw exists within core kernel components that cannot be patched through standard application updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of affected devices and monitor for anomalous video processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device administrators should disable unnecessary video processing features and restrict user access to multimedia applications that could trigger the vulnerable code paths. The implementation of kernel-based security modules such as SELinux or AppArmor can provide additional protection layers, though these measures are secondary to the primary requirement of applying official security patches. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their networks and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and device criticality.