CVE-2017-14902 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, due to a race condition in the GLink kernel driver, a Use After Free condition can potentially occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14902 represents a critical security flaw within the Linux kernel implementation of Android devices manufactured by Qualcomm. This issue specifically affects Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android platforms, encompassing all Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum that utilize the Linux kernel. The vulnerability stems from a race condition present in the GLink kernel driver, which serves as a communication interface between user space and kernel space components in Qualcomm-based systems. The race condition creates an environment where multiple threads or processes can access shared resources simultaneously, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security exploits.
The technical flaw manifests as a Use After Free condition, a common yet dangerous vulnerability pattern where memory that has been freed is still accessed by subsequent operations. In this specific case, the race condition in the GLink kernel driver allows for improper synchronization between concurrent kernel threads, enabling an attacker to manipulate the memory allocation and deallocation process. When the GLink driver handles certain kernel operations, particularly those involving device communication and memory management, the timing of these operations creates a window where freed memory structures can be accessed or reused before proper cleanup occurs. This condition enables malicious actors to potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively compromising the entire system's security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in kernel security mechanisms that protect against unauthorized system access. Attackers could leverage this race condition to gain root-level access to affected devices, potentially enabling them to install malicious software, extract sensitive data, or disable security features. The implications are particularly severe for mobile devices where the kernel driver operates in a trusted environment, as the attacker's ability to execute code at kernel level bypasses all standard user-space security controls. This vulnerability affects a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms running the specified operating systems, making it a significant concern for both individual users and enterprise security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14902 should focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers and system administrators must prioritize applying the latest kernel updates and security patches provided by Qualcomm and the Code Aurora Forum to address the race condition in the GLink driver. Additionally, implementing proper kernel memory management practices and ensuring adequate synchronization mechanisms are in place can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses Use After Free conditions, and represents a clear example of how race conditions in kernel drivers can lead to privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, as the ATT&CK framework categorizes such vulnerabilities under privilege escalation techniques that leverage kernel-level flaws to gain unauthorized system access.