CVE-2017-13172 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek bluetooth driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID A-36493287. References: M-ALPS03495791.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13172 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek Bluetooth driver component of Android kernel implementations. This weakness stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the driver's kernel space operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to full system administrator access. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets where the Bluetooth driver fails to properly validate parameters passed during kernel-level Bluetooth operations, allowing for arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel space Bluetooth driver code where insufficient bounds checking and validation mechanisms exist for incoming Bluetooth control commands. When legitimate Bluetooth operations are performed through the driver interface, the system does not adequately verify the integrity and legitimacy of the data structures being processed. This creates a condition where crafted malicious input can manipulate the driver's execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with kernel-level privileges. The flaw manifests when the driver processes Bluetooth-related ioctl commands without proper parameter validation, enabling attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory structures or manipulate system call tables.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to Android devices running on MediaTek chipsets, as it allows attackers to gain complete system control without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data theft, system modification, and persistent backdoor installation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors including malicious Bluetooth connections, specially crafted Bluetooth advertisements, or by leveraging other Bluetooth-based attack surfaces that may exist in the device's Bluetooth stack. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal user interaction beyond establishing a Bluetooth connection, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is frequently used.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, as the improper validation leads to memory corruption scenarios. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1068 technique for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The attack chain typically involves initial Bluetooth-based reconnaissance, followed by exploitation of the kernel driver vulnerability to gain root access, and finally establishing persistence within the compromised system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including kernel updates, Bluetooth driver patches, and network segmentation to prevent exploitation attempts.
Security professionals should prioritize patching affected Android kernel versions and ensure MediaTek chipset users receive timely security updates from their device manufacturers. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust kernel security practices and proper input validation in driver code. Device manufacturers and security teams must conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Bluetooth implementations and implement proper access controls to prevent similar issues in future software releases. Continuous monitoring and threat intelligence gathering remain essential for identifying exploitation attempts targeting this and similar kernel-level vulnerabilities.