CVE-2017-18062 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, potential buffer overflow can happen when processing UTF event in wma_process_utf_event().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel implementations used across various Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The flaw manifests specifically during the processing of UTF events within the wma_process_utf_event() function, which suggests a potential buffer overflow condition that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) that utilize the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across multiple device families and manufacturers. The buffer overflow occurs when the system processes UTF event data, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through carefully crafted input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within the wireless media adapter (WMA) subsystem. When processing UTF events, the function wma_process_utf_event() fails to properly validate the size or content of incoming data structures, leading to potential memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 CWE category of Buffer Overflow, specifically representing a heap-based buffer overflow that can occur when the system allocates insufficient memory for processing UTF event data. The flaw represents a classic security weakness where untrusted input is directly copied into fixed-size buffers without proper bounds checking, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Android platforms and device types that utilize the affected Linux kernel implementations, potentially affecting smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices from various manufacturers. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted UTF events to the affected system, which could result in privilege escalation, denial of service conditions, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the kernel level processing of wireless media events, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with deep system access that bypasses normal application-level security controls. This type of kernel-level vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or system privileges to gain elevated access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems through security updates provided by device manufacturers and the Code Aurora Forum. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on wireless media event processing. System administrators should consider implementing additional input validation measures at network boundaries and employ memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to reduce exploitability. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level implementations, particularly around input validation and buffer management. Device manufacturers should conduct thorough security reviews of their kernel implementations and establish robust testing procedures for wireless media processing functions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.