CVE-2017-14883 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the function wma_unified_power_debug_stats_event_handler() in Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android before 2017-10-18, if the value param_buf->num_debug_register received from the FW command buffer is close to max of uint32, then the computation performed using this variable to calculate stats_registers_len may overflow to a smaller value leading to less than required memory allocated for power_stats_results and potentially a buffer overflow while copying the FW buffer to local buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
This vulnerability exists in the wireless media access layer driver component of Qualcomm's mobile SoC platforms, specifically affecting Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The flaw manifests in the wma_unified_power_debug_stats_event_handler() function where improper input validation leads to integer overflow conditions during memory allocation calculations. The vulnerability occurs when the firmware command buffer provides a value for param_buf->num_debug_register that approaches the maximum value of a 32-bit unsigned integer, creating a dangerous scenario where arithmetic operations produce unexpected results.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic integer overflow condition where the calculation of stats_registers_len parameter becomes invalid when num_debug_register approaches uint32_max. This overflow results in a significantly smaller calculated value than required, leading to insufficient memory allocation for the power_stats_results buffer. The CWE-190 classification applies here as this represents an integer overflow vulnerability that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the system fails to properly check boundary conditions before performing arithmetic operations on user-supplied data from firmware components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it can enable remote code execution within the context of the wireless driver component. An attacker who can control the firmware command buffer content can manipulate the num_debug_register value to trigger the overflow condition, potentially leading to buffer overflows during data copying operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects systems where the wireless driver processes firmware events, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where wireless connectivity is fundamental to device operation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and boundary checking before any arithmetic operations are performed on firmware-provided values. The system should validate that num_debug_register values fall within reasonable ranges before proceeding with memory allocation calculations. Additionally, defensive programming practices including explicit bounds checking, integer overflow detection, and proper memory allocation verification should be implemented. The fix typically involves adding checks to ensure that the computed stats_registers_len value does not exceed maximum safe limits and that memory allocation accounts for potential overflow conditions. System updates and patches should be deployed immediately to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the sophistication of attack vectors targeting mobile platform components. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.