CVE-2017-13222 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Upstream kernel kernel. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-38159576.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13222 represents an information disclosure flaw within the Android kernel's upstream implementation that exposes sensitive system data to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability specifically affects the Linux kernel components utilized in Android operating systems, creating a potential avenue for attackers to extract confidential information from the device's memory or system resources. The issue stems from inadequate protection mechanisms within the kernel's memory management and data handling processes, which fail to properly isolate sensitive information from user-space applications and potentially malicious entities. The Android ID A-38159576 further contextualizes this vulnerability within the Android security framework, indicating its classification and tracking within Google's security infrastructure.
Technical exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability occurs through kernel-level memory access patterns that do not adequately protect against unauthorized data retrieval. The flaw manifests when the kernel fails to properly enforce memory boundaries or access controls, allowing malicious applications or attackers to potentially read kernel memory contents that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper handling of kernel data structures or memory regions that contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, or system configuration details. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in mobile environments where kernel-level access can provide attackers with elevated privileges and deeper system insights than standard user-space applications would normally possess. This weakness aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13222 extends beyond simple data leakage, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that leverage the disclosed information for privilege escalation or system compromise. Attackers could use the leaked kernel memory contents to identify system vulnerabilities, extract encryption keys, or discover patterns in system behavior that facilitate further exploitation. This information disclosure creates a foundation for more advanced attack vectors including but not limited to kernel exploitation, credential harvesting, and system state manipulation. The vulnerability particularly affects Android devices where the kernel serves as the primary interface between hardware and software components, making it a critical target for adversaries seeking to gain deeper system access. The attack surface is amplified when considering that Android devices often store sensitive personal and corporate data within kernel memory spaces that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to kernel security mechanisms. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant kernel updates that address the memory protection flaws identified in the vulnerability. The implementation of proper kernel memory isolation techniques, including enhanced access control lists and memory management controls, becomes critical in preventing unauthorized data access. Additionally, security monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigation techniques. From a broader security perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include kernel-level memory protection assessments. The remediation process must align with established security frameworks and best practices for kernel security, ensuring that similar vulnerabilities are identified and addressed proactively through systematic security auditing and patch management processes.