CVE-2017-13305 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Upstream kernel encrypted-keys. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-70526974.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The information disclosure vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13305 resides within the Android kernel's encrypted-keys subsystem, specifically affecting the upstream kernel implementation. This vulnerability manifests as a critical flaw in how the kernel handles encrypted key data structures, creating potential exposure of sensitive cryptographic material. The issue impacts Android devices that utilize kernel-based encryption mechanisms for managing secure keys, particularly those employing the encrypted-keys framework for storing and retrieving cryptographic secrets. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and data structures within the kernel's key management subsystem, where insufficient validation allows for unauthorized access to key material that should remain protected.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue within the kernel's encrypted-keys implementation where the system fails to properly validate input parameters when processing key data. Specifically, the flaw occurs during the key creation or retrieval process where the kernel does not adequately check the bounds of memory buffers or validate the integrity of key data structures. This allows an attacker with local access to potentially manipulate the kernel's memory layout and extract sensitive information from encrypted key storage areas. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 as information disclosure and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system. The kernel's failure to implement proper bounds checking and memory validation creates an attack surface where malicious processes can exploit the flawed data handling to gain unauthorized access to cryptographic keys stored in memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13305 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks targeting the Android security model. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract encryption keys used for device encryption, application data protection, or secure communication channels. This compromise affects the fundamental security guarantees provided by the Android kernel's encryption subsystem, potentially allowing unauthorized access to user data, application secrets, and device-level encryption keys. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the kernel's encrypted-keys service is used for protecting sensitive data, as it undermines the confidentiality assurances that users expect from Android's security architecture. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability exists at the kernel level, making it difficult to detect and remediate without system-level intervention.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within the core operating system components. Android device vendors must implement security patches that correct the memory validation issues in the encrypted-keys subsystem, ensuring proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual key access patterns and consider disabling unnecessary encrypted-keys functionality when not required. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel security hardening practices and proper input validation in security-critical subsystems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as kernel module signing, secure boot mechanisms, and runtime integrity checking to prevent exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of kernel components and adherence to secure coding practices are essential to prevent future occurrences of this class of vulnerability. The patch implementation should follow industry best practices for kernel security updates and include thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing encrypted-key usage patterns while addressing the information disclosure risk.