CVE-2017-18060 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 resp_event->vdev_id in wma_unified_bcntx_status_event_handler(), which is received from firmware, leads to potential out of bounds memory read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
This vulnerability exists within the Android operating system and related firmware components that utilize the Linux kernel, specifically affecting devices built using the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform. The flaw manifests in the wireless media access layer implementation where the system fails to properly validate input parameters received from the firmware during beacon context status events. The vulnerability is particularly significant because it operates at a low-level kernel component that handles wireless communication protocols, making it a critical security concern for mobile device security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs in the wma_unified_bcntx_status_event_handler() function where the resp_event->vdev_id parameter is processed without adequate bounds checking. This parameter originates from firmware communication and represents a virtual device identifier used in wireless networking contexts. When the firmware sends an invalid or unexpected value for vdev_id, the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing improper input validation and insufficient bounds checking in array access operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations as it creates potential attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. An attacker could potentially craft specific firmware responses that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, leading to information disclosure or system instability. The vulnerability affects multiple Android variants including CAF Android, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android, indicating a widespread issue across Qualcomm-based platforms. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect a large number of mobile devices simultaneously, especially those manufactured by companies using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through kernel-level manipulation, and represents a critical entry point for potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, as kernel-level memory corruption often provides attackers with opportunities to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code. The fact that this occurs in wireless communication components also means that remote exploitation is possible, particularly in scenarios where malicious firmware or network conditions could trigger the vulnerable code path. Security mitigations should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms, input validation procedures, and regular firmware updates to address this class of memory safety issues that affect embedded systems and mobile platforms.