CVE-2017-14903 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 processing the SENDACTIONFRAME IOCTL, a buffer over-read can occur if the payload length is less than 7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The flaw manifests during the processing of the SENDACTIONFRAME ioctl command which is typically used for wireless communication operations. When the payload length provided to this ioctl call is less than the expected minimum of seven bytes, the kernel fails to properly validate the input parameters before attempting to read from memory locations. This buffer over-read condition creates a potential security risk where malicious actors could exploit the insufficient bounds checking to access unauthorized memory regions. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation that allows for memory access violations, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability. This issue affects all Android releases from CAF that utilize the Linux kernel and demonstrates how kernel-level ioctl implementations can introduce critical security weaknesses when proper parameter validation is omitted.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs at the kernel level where the SENDACTIONFRAME ioctl handler does not adequately verify that the incoming data payload meets minimum size requirements before proceeding with memory operations. When the payload length falls below seven bytes, the kernel's memory access routines attempt to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in a buffer over-read condition. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and represents a direct violation of proper input validation principles. The vulnerability enables an attacker to potentially read sensitive kernel memory contents, which could include cryptographic keys, credential information, or other confidential data stored in memory. The attack vector requires local access to the system since ioctl commands are typically accessible through device files and require appropriate permissions to invoke, though the potential for information disclosure remains significant.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access issues as it could enable attackers to extract confidential information from kernel memory spaces, potentially compromising the security of the entire system. While the vulnerability requires local execution privileges to exploit, it represents a serious concern for systems that may be compromised through other attack vectors, as it could provide attackers with additional information to aid in further exploitation. The affected platforms include multiple Android variants and Firefox OS implementations, indicating the widespread nature of this kernel-level flaw. This vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial compromise leads to privilege escalation or information gathering. The security implications are particularly concerning given that kernel-level memory access can reveal sensitive system information that would otherwise remain protected from normal user-space access attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates how such kernel flaws can enable more sophisticated attack vectors when combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation within the kernel ioctl handlers to ensure that all incoming data meets minimum size requirements before processing begins. The most effective approach involves adding explicit length checks that verify the payload size against expected minimum values before any memory operations are performed. System administrators should ensure that all affected devices receive kernel updates that address this specific buffer over-read condition. The implementation of kernel memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of kernel-level code should be conducted to identify similar validation issues that could lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual ioctl command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Patch management procedures should be prioritized for all Android systems using affected kernel versions to prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors who may attempt to leverage this vulnerability for unauthorized system access or information disclosure.