CVE-2017-18054 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, improper input validation for num_vdev_mac_entries in wma_pdev_hw_mode_transition_evt_handler(), which is received from firmware, leads to potential buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
This vulnerability exists in Android-based systems that utilize the Linux kernel and Qualcomm's firmware components, specifically affecting devices running Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android platforms. The flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, occurring within the wireless management subsystem where the system processes hardware mode transition events. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input parameters received from firmware, particularly the num_vdev_mac_entries field that determines the number of virtual device MAC entries during hardware mode transitions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the wma_pdev_hw_mode_transition_evt_handler() function which handles events related to wireless hardware mode changes. When firmware sends the num_vdev_mac_entries parameter, the system fails to properly validate its bounds before using it to allocate memory or iterate through arrays. This allows an attacker with access to the firmware or wireless subsystem to potentially manipulate this value to exceed allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability spans across multiple device categories including smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices that rely on Qualcomm's wireless chipsets and the Android operating system. Attackers could exploit this through malicious firmware updates or by compromising the wireless communication channel to send crafted packets that trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability represents a critical risk in mobile environments where wireless connectivity is fundamental to device operation, potentially enabling remote code execution or denial of service conditions that could affect device availability and user data integrity.
Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from device manufacturers that implement proper input validation for the num_vdev_mac_entries parameter, along with kernel-level patches that enforce bounds checking before memory allocation. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider applying the principle of least privilege to wireless subsystem components to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1547.001 for registry run keys or startup folder, as exploitation could potentially enable persistence mechanisms through wireless management components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in embedded systems and highlights the risks associated with firmware-based attacks in mobile device ecosystems.