CVE-2017-18069 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 message length calculation in oem_cmd_handler() while processing a WLAN_NL_MSG_OEM netlink message leads to buffer overread.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Android operating system and related mobile platforms that utilize the Linux kernel as their foundation. The flaw specifically affects devices running Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android implementations from the Code Aurora Forum. The vulnerability stems from a critical error in how the system processes WLAN_NL_MSG_OEM netlink messages through the oem_cmd_handler() function. This improper handling creates a buffer overread condition that can be exploited by malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the message processing logic of the wireless networking subsystem. When the oem_cmd_handler() function receives a WLAN_NL_MSG_OEM netlink message, it fails to properly validate or calculate the message length before attempting to process the data. This miscalculation allows an attacker to craft a specially formatted message that can cause the system to read beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially exposing sensitive data or system memory contents. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and buffer management issues that are commonly classified as CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker who can send maliciously crafted WLAN_NL_MSG_OEM messages to the affected system could potentially read arbitrary memory locations, extract kernel memory contents, or even execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This represents a significant security risk for mobile devices that rely on wireless networking capabilities, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the Linux kernel subsystem, making it difficult to detect and mitigate without proper system updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates from device manufacturers and carriers, as the flaw exists within core kernel components that cannot be patched through standard application-level updates. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual WLAN_NL_MSG_OEM message patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level weaknesses. Device administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit wireless communication capabilities where possible, though this approach may impact legitimate device functionality. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts, and system logs should be monitored for irregular network message processing patterns that could indicate malicious activity.