CVE-2017-13271 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the upstream kernel mnh_sm driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-69006799.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13271 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android kernel's mnh_sm driver component. This issue resides in the upstream kernel implementation and specifically affects Android devices that utilize this particular driver for managing certain hardware functionalities. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the driver's kernel space implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to kernel level access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be attributed to inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the mnh_sm driver's handling of user-supplied data structures. When the driver processes specific ioctl commands or system calls, it fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming parameters, allowing for potential buffer overflow conditions or arbitrary memory access patterns. This flaw operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation is particularly dangerous as it enables attackers to gain full system control and access to all protected resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are common vectors for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device security as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. Once exploited, an attacker could gain complete control over the device, including the ability to modify system files, install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, and potentially compromise the device's integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects the core kernel driver components that are essential for device functionality, making exploitation relatively straightforward for determined attackers. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model by undermining the isolation between user space and kernel space, which is fundamental to maintaining system security boundaries.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13271 primarily involve applying the appropriate kernel security patches provided by the Android Open Source Project and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement timely security updates and ensure all affected Android devices receive the necessary kernel modifications that address the input validation issues within the mnh_sm driver. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around kernel driver access patterns and privilege escalation activities. The mitigation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the use of kernel exploits and driver-based attacks. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to further reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities in the future.