CVE-2017-13175 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the NVIDIA libwilhelm. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID A-64339309. References: N-CVE-2017-13175.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13175 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the NVIDIA libwilhelm library component that affects Android kernel implementations. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of kernel memory regions during specific system operations, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The issue manifests within the Android operating system's kernel space where NVIDIA's proprietary multimedia libraries interact with system resources, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. The vulnerability affects Android versions that incorporate NVIDIA's kernel modifications and is tracked under Android ID A-64339309, indicating its integration within Google's Android security tracking system.
The technical root cause of this information disclosure vulnerability lies in the improper memory management practices within the libwilhelm library implementation. When the system processes certain multimedia operations or kernel-level memory allocations, the library fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to kernel memory regions that should remain protected from user-space applications. This flaw allows malicious applications or attackers with system-level privileges to potentially access sensitive kernel data structures, system memory contents, or confidential information that should be restricted to kernel-level operations only. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental breakdown in information security controls within the kernel subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13175 extends beyond simple data leakage, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker who can exploit this vulnerability may gain access to kernel memory contents that could reveal system configuration details, memory layout information, or other sensitive data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability particularly affects devices running Android with NVIDIA Tegra chipsets where the libwilhelm library is integrated into the kernel framework. This information exposure could enable attackers to perform advanced persistent threats by gathering intelligence about the system's memory management, kernel structures, or device-specific configurations that would otherwise remain hidden from normal system operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists at the kernel level where standard application-level protections are insufficient. Android device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security patches that address the memory management issues within the libwilhelm library implementation. System administrators and security professionals should also implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or unauthorized data collection activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation and T1063 for credential access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is paramount. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Android device fleets to identify affected systems and ensure timely patch deployment. The remediation process involves kernel-level patching that addresses the specific memory handling routines within NVIDIA's libwilhelm implementation, requiring careful testing to maintain device functionality while eliminating the information disclosure risk.