CVE-2017-14907 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, cryptographic strength is reduced while deriving disk encryption key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
This vulnerability affects Android devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets and related platforms including Firefox OS for MSM and QRD Android. The issue stems from insufficient cryptographic strength during the derivation of disk encryption keys, creating a significant weakness in the device's security architecture. The vulnerability impacts all Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum that utilize the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple device manufacturers and firmware versions. The reduced cryptographic strength directly compromises the integrity of the disk encryption mechanism that protects user data on mobile devices. This weakness allows attackers to potentially bypass encryption protections through reduced entropy or predictable key derivation patterns, undermining the fundamental security premise of device encryption.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic key derivation function where the system fails to generate sufficiently strong keys for disk encryption purposes. This weakness typically involves insufficient iteration counts in key derivation algorithms, predictable random number generation, or inadequate entropy sources during the key generation process. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to perform brute force attacks or cryptographic analysis that would otherwise be computationally infeasible with properly derived keys. The reduced cryptographic strength means that encryption keys can be more easily guessed, computed, or reverse-engineered, effectively nullifying the encryption protection that users expect from their mobile devices. This issue specifically targets the Linux kernel implementations used in Qualcomm-based mobile platforms, making it particularly concerning for devices that rely on these chipsets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it fundamentally undermines trust in device security mechanisms. Attackers with sufficient computational resources could potentially decrypt user data without authorization, accessing sensitive information including personal documents, communications, financial data, and authentication credentials. The vulnerability affects devices that are widely deployed across various mobile platforms and manufacturers, creating a substantial attack surface that could be exploited at scale. Mobile devices are particularly vulnerable because they often contain extensive personal and corporate data, and the encryption bypass could enable comprehensive data theft or identity theft. The reduced cryptographic strength also affects the security of encrypted backups and the overall device security posture, potentially enabling further exploitation of other security mechanisms that depend on strong encryption foundations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the issue resides in the underlying kernel implementations. Users should ensure their devices receive security updates from their manufacturers and avoid using devices that have not been patched. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices and consider implementing additional security controls such as application-level encryption or network-based security measures. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices and implement compensating controls where patches are not immediately available. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-326 which addresses inadequate encryption strength, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services. Device manufacturers should implement robust cryptographic key derivation functions with sufficient iteration counts, use cryptographically secure random number generators, and ensure adequate entropy sources during key generation processes to prevent similar issues in future implementations.