CVE-2017-15815 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, a potential buffer overflow can happen when processing any 802.11 MGMT frames like Auth frame in limProcessAuthFrame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel implementation used in various Android devices and Firefox OS platforms, specifically affecting Qualcomm-based systems. The flaw manifests during the processing of 802.11 management frames, particularly authentication frames, which are fundamental components of wireless network communication protocols. The buffer overflow condition occurs in the limProcessAuthFrame function, which handles the processing of authentication frames within the wireless subsystem. This represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise device integrity and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and buffer handling within the wireless networking stack. When the system receives an 802.11 management frame, specifically an authentication frame, the processing function fails to adequately check the frame size or validate the buffer boundaries before copying data into internal buffers. This allows an attacker to craft a maliciously formatted authentication frame that exceeds the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the wireless subsystem, making it difficult to detect and exploit without proper kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates potential pathways for sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire device. An attacker positioned within wireless range could potentially send malicious authentication frames to trigger the buffer overflow, leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges. This could result in complete device compromise, data theft, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF (Code Android Framework) that utilize the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across numerous devices and manufacturers. The exploitation of this flaw aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, where wireless protocol vulnerabilities are often targeted for initial access vectors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as this vulnerability requires kernel-level patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators and device users should prioritize updating to the latest security patches provided by their device vendors, particularly those addressing wireless networking stack vulnerabilities. The implementation of network monitoring tools to detect anomalous 802.11 management frames can serve as an additional defensive measure. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability relates to CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with attack techniques categorized under T1059 in the ATT&CK framework, specifically focusing on execution through system commands and kernel exploits. Organizations should also implement network segmentation strategies to limit wireless access points that might be vulnerable to such attacks, particularly in enterprise environments where wireless security is paramount.