CVE-2017-17764 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, the num_failure_info value from firmware is not properly validated in wma_rx_aggr_failure_event_handler() so that an integer overflow vulnerability in a buffer size calculation may potentially lead to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17764 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm's Android-based products that utilize the Linux kernel. This issue stems from insufficient validation of the num_failure_info parameter within the wma_rx_aggr_failure_event_handler() function, creating a scenario where an attacker could manipulate firmware data to trigger an integer overflow condition. The flaw specifically affects devices running Android versions through the Code-Aurora Forum (CAF) ecosystem, making it widespread across numerous mobile platforms that depend on Qualcomm's wireless communication chipsets.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of wireless aggregation failure events in the wireless media access layer. When firmware sends failure information to the host system, the num_failure_info value is not adequately validated before being used in buffer size calculations. This lack of input sanitization allows an attacker to craft malicious firmware packets containing oversized num_failure_info values that, when processed, cause integer overflow during arithmetic operations. The overflow subsequently leads to incorrect buffer size calculations, creating conditions where a buffer overflow can occur when attempting to allocate memory for processing the failure information.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17764 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the wireless subsystem. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain control over the wireless communication stack, potentially leading to complete device compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it resides in the kernel-level wireless driver components, making it accessible to attackers who can influence firmware communication. This aligns with CWE-190, which classifies integer overflow conditions, and represents a significant vector for privilege escalation attacks within mobile environments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in kernel-space components, particularly those handling firmware communication. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through kernel exploitation, where an attacker leverages memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges. The widespread adoption of Qualcomm's wireless solutions across Android devices means that this vulnerability affects a substantial portion of the mobile ecosystem, making it a high-priority target for exploitation. Mitigation strategies must focus on firmware validation mechanisms and proper integer overflow protection in kernel driver code, with patching being the primary defense mechanism for affected devices.
The vulnerability highlights fundamental security weaknesses in embedded wireless communication protocols and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel modules that handle external firmware data. This flaw exemplifies how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks in mobile device ecosystems, particularly in components that process real-time communication data from external sources. Security researchers have noted that similar vulnerabilities in wireless subsystems often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks, making proper validation of all firmware parameters essential for maintaining device integrity and user security.