CVE-2017-17770 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Qualcomm Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel before security patch level 2018-04-05, in a power driver ioctl handler, an Untrusted Pointer Dereference may potentially occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17770 represents a critical untrusted pointer dereference flaw within the power driver ioctl handler of Qualcomm's Android-based systems. This issue affects multiple Qualcomm platforms including MSM devices running Android, Firefox OS, and QRD Android variants with all Android releases from CAF that utilize the Linux kernel. The vulnerability exists in systems prior to the security patch level of April 5, 2018, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining legacy systems. The flaw manifests specifically within the kernel-level power management driver interface, where user-space applications can potentially pass untrusted pointer values to kernel space through ioctl system calls, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the power driver's ioctl handler mechanism. When a user-space application invokes a specific ioctl command to interact with the power management subsystem, the kernel driver fails to properly validate the pointer references passed from user space. This lack of validation creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious ioctl parameters containing crafted pointer values that, when dereferenced by the kernel, can lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, though in this case the issue involves untrusted pointer dereference rather than simple NULL dereference. The flaw allows for privilege escalation from user-level processes to kernel-level execution, representing a fundamental breakdown in kernel security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17770 extends beyond simple system instability or crashes, as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain complete system control. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects a broad range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems that rely on Qualcomm's MSM platforms, making it particularly concerning for mobile device manufacturers and enterprise security teams. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation technique and T1059 command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability also relates to T1056 credential access techniques as it can be used to gain elevated privileges necessary for accessing protected system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17770 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and Android vendors. Organizations should immediately implement the security updates provided by their device manufacturers, ensuring that all systems are updated to security patch level 2018-04-05 or later. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual ioctl activity patterns. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel hardening techniques including stack canaries, kernel address space layout randomization, and strict input validation. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing runtime protections such as kernel module signing enforcement and restricting user-space access to sensitive kernel interfaces can provide additional defense layers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure.