CVE-2017-13162 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the kernel binder. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID A-64216036.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The CVE-2017-13162 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android kernel's binder driver component, which serves as the primary inter-process communication mechanism in the Android operating system. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level binder subsystem that facilitates communication between different Android applications and system services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges from regular user-level processes to system-level administrative access. The flaw specifically affects Android kernel implementations and was identified as part of the broader Android security ecosystem that relies heavily on the binder driver for maintaining system integrity and process isolation. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the binder driver's handling of certain ioctl commands, creating a pathway for malicious code to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where all security boundaries are effectively bypassed, allowing attackers to gain complete control over the device's core functionalities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overread condition in the binder driver's memory management routines, specifically when processing crafted input data through the binder interface. The flaw manifests when the kernel binder processes certain malformed data structures that cause it to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents or enabling attackers to manipulate kernel data structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or privilege escalation. The attacker can leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively breaking down the fundamental security model that separates user applications from system-level operations. The binder driver's role in Android's security architecture means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to modify system files, install malicious applications, or extract sensitive data without proper authorization. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model's integrity by undermining the isolation guarantees that the kernel binder is designed to maintain between different security domains.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13162 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely subvert Android's security framework and gain root-level access to affected devices. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass all Android security mechanisms including application sandboxing, permission models, and SELinux policies that normally protect system resources. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where devices often contain sensitive personal and corporate data, making it a prime target for both nation-state actors and commercial threat groups. The exploitation process typically requires a malicious application or payload that can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing, malicious app downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability's presence in the kernel binder means that even security patches applied at the application level cannot prevent exploitation, as the flaw exists at a lower system layer that operates independently of application-level security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used to establish persistent access through rootkits or other malicious frameworks that leverage the elevated privileges to maintain long-term control over the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13162 primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the underlying kernel-level buffer overread condition in the binder driver implementation. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected Android devices, particularly those running kernel versions prior to the patched releases. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the kernel code can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in future implementations. Organizations should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual process creation or memory access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-level security hardening and proper code review processes for critical system components. Security professionals should also implement network monitoring solutions that can detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual binder driver activity or malformed ioctl command sequences. Regular security assessments of Android kernel implementations should include thorough review of memory management routines and input validation mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches to ensure compatibility with existing applications while maintaining the security integrity that was compromised by this vulnerability.