CVE-2017-15852 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Information leak of the ISPIF base address in Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android can occur in the camera driver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15852 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting multiple Android-based platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. This vulnerability manifests within the camera driver component where sensitive memory address information becomes exposed to unauthorized processes. The issue specifically impacts the ISPIF base address which serves as a fundamental memory reference point within the system's camera subsystem. Such information leakage creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with insights into the memory layout of the operating system, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects devices utilizing Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and their associated software stacks, making it particularly widespread across mobile devices from various manufacturers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the camera driver implementation. When the camera subsystem initializes or handles specific operations, it inadvertently exposes the base address of the ISPIF (Image Sensor Processing Interface) component through debug interfaces or error reporting mechanisms. This occurs due to insufficient input validation and memory protection controls within the driver code. The ISPIF base address represents a critical memory reference that, when disclosed, allows attackers to map the memory space of the camera driver and potentially identify other sensitive memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental flaw in how sensitive data is handled within system components. The exposure of memory addresses creates a foundation for more advanced attacks including arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating substantial risks for device security and user privacy. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can leverage the leaked ISPIF base address to perform memory address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypass attacks, which are commonly used to circumvent modern exploit mitigations. The exposure provides attackers with the ability to predict memory locations of critical system components, making it significantly easier to craft successful buffer overflow exploits or other memory corruption attacks. Additionally, this information leak can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack vectors, as it reduces the complexity of exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects devices running on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which represent a significant portion of the Android smartphone market, potentially exposing millions of devices to increased security risks. This vulnerability particularly impacts the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and T1068, which addresses "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" by providing attackers with essential information needed to bypass system protections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15852 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary solution involves updating the camera driver components to properly sanitize memory address information and prevent exposure through debug interfaces. Device vendors should implement proper input validation and memory protection mechanisms within the camera driver code to ensure that ISPIF base addresses are not disclosed during normal operation or error handling. System administrators should ensure that all devices are updated with the latest security patches provided by manufacturers, particularly those addressing Qualcomm Snapdragon processor vulnerabilities. Additional mitigations include implementing proper kernel memory protection mechanisms, disabling unnecessary debug interfaces, and conducting regular security audits of driver components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this type of information disclosure vulnerability. Regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices, particularly those aligned with the CWE guidelines for information exposure prevention, are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system implementations.