CVE-2017-14870 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android, with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, while updating the recovery message for eMMC devices, 1088 bytes of stack memory can potentially be leaked.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel implementations used in various Android devices including MSM (Mobile Station Modem) platforms and Firefox OS devices. The issue manifests during the recovery message update process specifically for eMMC (embedded multi-media card) storage devices where the kernel fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation. The flaw allows for a stack memory leak of exactly 1088 bytes, which occurs when the system attempts to handle recovery messages for eMMC devices during normal operation or system updates. This represents a classic memory management issue that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gather sensitive information from the device's memory space.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper stack memory handling within the kernel's recovery message processing subsystem. When the system encounters an eMMC device and attempts to update its recovery message, the kernel allocates memory on the stack but fails to properly clean up or reallocate this memory segment. This creates a situation where 1088 bytes of stack memory remain accessible to unauthorized processes or malicious code that could potentially read or manipulate this leaked information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during routine system operations and could be triggered through normal device usage or update processes. This memory leak could potentially expose kernel data structures, sensitive configuration information, or other system artifacts that might aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory leakage, as it could enable attackers to gather information that might be used for more sophisticated attacks. The leaked memory might contain pointers, kernel addresses, or other artifacts that could assist in bypassing security mitigations such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or other exploit prevention mechanisms. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-248 category for "Uncaught Exception" and could potentially be leveraged in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to achieve privilege escalation or system compromise. The attack surface is broad as it affects all Android versions from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) using the Linux kernel, encompassing numerous device manufacturers and models that utilize MSM platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on kernel-level patches that properly handle memory allocation and deallocation during recovery message updates. Device manufacturers should implement immediate kernel updates that address the specific stack memory management issue in the eMMC recovery handling code. Security researchers and system administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts that might involve reading the leaked memory segments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1005 for "Data from Local System" as attackers could potentially use this information to craft more effective attacks. Additionally, implementing proper stack memory management practices and conducting thorough code reviews of kernel recovery modules would prevent similar issues from occurring in future implementations. Organizations should also consider deploying runtime protections and monitoring systems that can detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.