CVE-2017-14914 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, handles in the global client structure can become stale.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14914 represents a critical issue within the Linux kernel implementations used across various Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android. This flaw specifically affects the global client structure handling mechanism, creating a potential avenue for attackers to exploit stale data references within the kernel's memory management systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of client structures that can persist beyond their intended lifecycle, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security breaches.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the kernel's failure to properly invalidate or update client structure references when underlying data changes or becomes obsolete. This stale reference condition creates a window where malicious actors can manipulate or access outdated client information, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. The issue manifests in the global client structure management code where references are not adequately synchronized with actual data states, allowing for race conditions and memory corruption scenarios. This flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the fundamental security boundaries of the operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14914 extends beyond simple functional failures, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that leverage the stale reference conditions for privilege escalation. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges, access restricted memory regions, or manipulate kernel data structures in ways that compromise the entire system integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple device families and kernel versions, amplifying its potential impact across various mobile and embedded platforms. This type of flaw particularly concerns security professionals as it can be leveraged in both local and remote attack scenarios, depending on the specific implementation and attack surface available.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper reference invalidation mechanisms within the kernel's client structure management code. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating to patched kernel versions that address the stale reference handling issues, particularly those from the Android Common Kernel (CAF) repositories. The fix typically involves ensuring that client structure references are properly validated and updated whenever underlying data changes, preventing the persistence of stale references that could be exploited. Additionally, implementing memory management controls and kernel hardening techniques can reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-410 and CWE-459 categories related to insufficient cleanup and improper handling of references, and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation.