CVE-2017-15829 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a race condition exists in a GPU Driver which can potentially lead to a Use After Free condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15829 represents a critical race condition flaw within the GPU driver component of Qualcomm's Android implementations based on the Linux kernel. This issue affects all Qualcomm products that utilize Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and operates at the intersection of hardware and software security domains where GPU drivers interface with kernel-level memory management systems. The race condition manifests during concurrent access scenarios where multiple threads or processes attempt to manipulate the same GPU memory resources simultaneously, creating opportunities for improper resource handling and memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the GPU driver's memory management subsystem. When multiple concurrent operations target the same GPU buffer or memory allocation, the driver fails to properly enforce mutual exclusion protocols that would normally prevent simultaneous access to shared resources. This race condition creates a window of opportunity where one thread may free a memory resource while another thread simultaneously attempts to access or modify that same resource, leading to a use after free condition. The underlying flaw operates at the kernel level where GPU memory allocations are managed through the Linux kernel's memory management framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable privilege escalation and system compromise within the Android ecosystem. Attackers who can trigger this race condition may leverage the use after free condition to overwrite critical kernel memory structures or inject malicious code into the GPU driver context. This creates a pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges within the system, potentially leading to full device compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects Qualcomm's broad product portfolio including smartphones, tablets, and automotive systems that rely on the Linux kernel for GPU operations, making it a widespread concern across multiple device categories and security domains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15829 require both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar race conditions in future implementations. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant kernel patches provided by Qualcomm and the Android Open Source Project to address the specific synchronization flaws in the GPU driver code. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. The remediation process should include thorough code review of GPU driver components to identify and fix similar synchronization issues, along with implementing proper memory management practices that prevent use after free conditions in kernel modules.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper synchronization in kernel-level drivers, particularly those managing hardware resources like GPU memory. The race condition in the GPU driver highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws in memory management can create significant security risks, particularly when multiple threads interact with shared resources without proper protection mechanisms. The widespread impact across Qualcomm's Android product line underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel modules and driver components, especially those that interface with hardware accelerators and memory management systems. Organizations must maintain vigilance in monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in their embedded systems and ensure that memory safety practices are consistently applied throughout their software development lifecycle to prevent exploitation of such fundamental race condition flaws.