CVE-2017-15822 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel before security patch level 2018-04-05, while processing a 802.11 management frame, a buffer overflow may potentially occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel implementations used by Qualcomm's Android and Firefox OS platforms, specifically affecting devices that utilize the Linux kernel before the security patch level of April 5, 2018. The flaw manifests during the processing of 802.11 management frames which are fundamental components of wireless local area network communications. These frames contain control information that governs wireless network operations including authentication, association, and beacon exchanges between wireless devices and access points. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the kernel fails to properly validate or limit the size of incoming management frames, creating a potential exploitation vector that could be leveraged by malicious actors positioned within the wireless network's reach. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through wireless network protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel's wireless subsystem. When processing 802.11 management frames, the kernel does not properly enforce size limitations or perform adequate boundary checks on frame contents, particularly in fields that specify frame lengths or contain variable-length data structures. This allows an attacker to craft maliciously formatted frames that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The overflow can potentially corrupt critical kernel data structures, leading to system instability, denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution within kernel space. The exploitation requires proximity to the target device within wireless network range and the ability to inject malicious frames into the network traffic, making it a network-based attack vector that operates at the wireless protocol layer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across all Qualcomm-based devices running affected Android and Firefox OS versions, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that utilize Qualcomm's MSM (Mobile Station Modem) chipsets. Devices that have not received the April 2018 security patch remain susceptible to exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to compromise device integrity, access sensitive data, or disrupt wireless communications. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated attack scenarios, as 802.11 management frames can be transmitted without prior authentication, making the attack surface particularly broad. Organizations and individuals using these vulnerable platforms face risks including potential data breaches, device compromise, and disruption of wireless network services. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread deployment of Qualcomm's MSM chipsets across various mobile device manufacturers, creating a substantial attack surface that affects millions of devices globally.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, with the April 2018 patch level serving as the minimum recommended baseline. Device administrators should prioritize updating all affected platforms to ensure proper input validation and buffer boundary checking mechanisms are in place. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous 802.11 management frame traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing wireless network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and kernel implementations, particularly for wireless subsystems that handle untrusted network traffic. Device manufacturers should also enhance their security testing procedures to validate wireless protocol handling and ensure proper bounds checking in kernel components that process network frame data.