CVE-2017-18066 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 controls in MSM CORE leads to use memory after it is freed in msm_core_ioctl().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Qualcomm Mobile Station (MSM) kernel driver component that serves as a critical interface between Android operating systems and hardware peripherals. The issue manifests in the msm_core_ioctl function where memory management controls fail to properly validate or enforce memory access boundaries, creating a potential for use-after-free conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects multiple Android variants including those based on Code Aurora Forum (CAF) releases and Firefox OS implementations that utilize the Linux kernel framework. The root cause stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the ioctl (input/output control) interface of the msm_core driver, which processes device-specific commands for hardware communication.
The technical flaw specifically occurs when the msm_core_ioctl function handles memory allocation and deallocation operations without proper synchronization or validation checks. When a malicious process or application sends crafted ioctl commands to the msm_core driver, it can trigger a scenario where memory blocks are freed but subsequently accessed by other operations within the same driver context. This improper memory management creates a race condition where the kernel's memory allocator may return the same memory region to a different process or operation after the original pointer has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior or potential code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation can result in complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker with local access or the ability to execute code in a privileged context could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability affects devices running various Android versions that utilize Qualcomm's MSM architecture, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that depend on the Linux kernel for core system operations. Security researchers have identified that this flaw aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of improper memory management in kernel space operations. The attack surface is particularly broad since the msm_core driver is fundamental to hardware abstraction and communication in Qualcomm-based mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates from device manufacturers and operating system vendors. System administrators should prioritize deployment of kernel-level patches that address the improper memory controls within the msm_core_ioctl function, ensuring that memory deallocation operations properly prevent subsequent access to freed memory regions. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous ioctl operations that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential attack patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to verify that patches do not introduce regressions in device functionality, particularly affecting hardware communication and peripheral management capabilities. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing runtime protections and memory integrity checking mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and kernel-mode exploitation.