CVE-2017-15851 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of copy_from_user and information leak in function "msm_ois_subdev_do_ioctl, file msm_ois.c can lead to a camera crash in all Android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the Linux kernel
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15851 represents a critical security flaw in the Qualcomm Camera Driver implementation within the Linux kernel. This issue specifically affects the msm_ois_subdev_do_ioctl function located in the msm_ois.c file, which is part of the Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android platforms. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper input validation mechanisms, particularly the missing copy_from_user function call that is essential for safe kernel-space memory operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the msm_ois_subdev_do_ioctl function processes ioctl commands without adequately validating or copying user-space data into kernel-space memory regions. This omission creates a potential information disclosure vulnerability where malicious actors could potentially access sensitive kernel memory contents. The vulnerability affects all Android releases utilizing the Linux kernel from Qualcomm, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these platforms across various mobile devices and embedded systems. The lack of proper memory boundary checking allows for potential data leakage that could expose confidential information stored in kernel memory.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could lead to camera subsystem crashes and potential system instability. The information leak aspect poses significant risks to device security and privacy, as attackers might exploit the vulnerability to extract sensitive data from kernel memory spaces. The vulnerability affects a broad range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems that rely on Qualcomm's MSM (Mobile Station Modem) platforms. The exploitation of this flaw could result in denial of service conditions, unauthorized data access, and potentially provide attackers with additional attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, as the missing copy_from_user function creates opportunities for memory corruption and unauthorized data access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to gain elevated privileges through kernel memory manipulation. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation in kernel-space code, which is a common attack surface for privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including kernel updates, input validation patches, and monitoring for suspicious ioctl command patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability exists in the ioctl handling mechanism where user-space parameters are directly processed without proper kernel memory protection. The missing copy_from_user call means that data from user-space can be directly accessed by kernel-space functions without proper validation, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious ioctl commands that could trigger the information leak or crash conditions. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with direct access to system memory and potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The widespread adoption of Qualcomm's MSM platforms across multiple device types and operating systems amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.