CVE-2017-15848 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, in the fastrpc kernel driver, a buffer overflow vulnerability from userspace may potentially exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15848 resides within the fastrpc kernel driver component of Android-based systems developed by Qualcomm Technologies Inc. This driver operates as a critical interface between user space applications and kernel space functionality, facilitating high-speed data transfers and remote procedure calls. The flaw manifests specifically in the Linux kernel implementations across various Android releases from CAF, including MSM (Mobile Services Module) platforms, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android variants. The fastrpc driver serves as a communication bridge that enables efficient processing of data between different system components, making it a prime target for exploitation due to its privileged access and complex interaction patterns with both user and kernel space operations.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the kernel driver's handling of user-supplied data. When user space applications interact with the fastrpc driver, they provide data structures that are processed by kernel code without adequate bounds checking. This allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted inputs that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation would grant attackers complete control over the affected device's operating system, potentially enabling full system compromise. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient validation of input parameters leads to memory corruption, a weakness commonly classified under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control through kernel-level access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root privileges, modify system files, install malicious software, and potentially access all user data stored on the device. The implications are particularly severe for mobile devices where the fastrpc driver is frequently utilized for multimedia processing, communication services, and other critical functions. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF that utilize the Linux kernel, creating a widespread exposure across numerous device models and manufacturers. This broad impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in the kernel driver itself, meaning it operates at the most privileged level of the operating system where the attacker's actions have maximum potential for system-wide damage and data compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15848 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists in the kernel driver layer where traditional application-level protections are ineffective. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest kernel versions that include fixes for the buffer overflow in the fastrpc driver. System administrators should also implement monitoring for anomalous behavior in kernel space operations that might indicate exploitation attempts, though detection remains challenging due to the privileged nature of the vulnerability. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the kernel driver code to prevent buffer overflows when processing user-supplied data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and kernel exploitation methods, representing a critical threat that requires immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation for advanced persistent threats or full system compromise.