CVE-2017-15845 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, an invalid input of firmware size (negative value) from user space can potentially lead to the memory leak or buffer overflow during the WLAN cal data store operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
This vulnerability exists in Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel from Code Aurora Forum with specific firmware handling operations. The flaw manifests when user space applications provide malformed firmware size parameters, specifically negative values, which are then processed during wireless local area network calibration data storage operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management issues that can result in critical system instability. The affected platforms include various Android releases from CAF, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android configurations, indicating a widespread impact across multiple mobile operating systems.
The technical exploitation occurs when the system processes firmware size parameters that are not properly validated before being used in memory allocation operations. When a negative firmware size value is passed from user space to kernel space, the system's memory management routines fail to handle this invalid input correctly, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory leaks during the WLAN calibration data store process. This represents a classic case of input sanitization failure where the kernel does not adequately validate the firmware size parameter before proceeding with memory operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at kernel level where malicious input can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potential security breaches and denial of service conditions. Attackers could exploit this weakness to cause system crashes or potentially execute malicious code within the kernel context, which would provide elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects wireless communication functionality and could be leveraged to disrupt network connectivity or gain unauthorized access to device capabilities. This type of flaw represents a significant risk in mobile environments where wireless connectivity is essential for device operation and security.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the kernel space firmware handling routines. System administrators should ensure that all Android releases from CAF are updated with the latest security patches that address this specific validation issue. The fix typically involves adding proper parameter checking to ensure firmware size values are positive and within acceptable ranges before any memory allocation occurs. Additionally, implementing proper bounds checking and memory management practices can prevent the buffer overflow conditions that arise from negative firmware size inputs. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel space operations and aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input ranges, and follows ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges through kernel vulnerabilities.