CVE-2017-18070 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In wma_ndp_end_response_event_handler(), the variable len_end_rsp is a uint32 which can be overflowed if the value of variable "event->num_ndp_end_rsp_per_ndi_list" is very large which can then lead to a heap overwrite of the heap object end_rsp in all Android releases from CAF (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) using the Linux Kernel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18070 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that affects multiple Android variants including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android. This flaw exists within the wma_ndp_end_response_event_handler() function where the variable len_end_rsp is declared as a uint32 type, creating an inherent risk of integer overflow when processing network device provisioning end response events. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the event->num_ndp_end_rsp_per_ndi_list variable which can contain extremely large values, leading to a situation where the calculated length value exceeds the bounds of the uint32 data type and subsequently overflows into adjacent heap memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the wireless multimedia application layer where network device provisioning operations are managed through the Linux kernel framework. When the system processes end response events for network device provisioning, the code performs arithmetic operations on the num_ndp_end_rsp_per_ndi_list value without proper validation or bounds checking. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input data that causes the len_end_rsp variable to exceed its maximum uint32 value of 4294967295, resulting in an integer underflow or overflow condition that corrupts heap memory. The heap object end_rsp becomes overwritten with arbitrary data, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across all Android releases supported by the Code Aurora Forum, affecting devices that utilize the Linux kernel for wireless networking operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where heap memory management occurs, making it susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate network device provisioning responses. This creates a persistent threat vector that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially compromising the entire device. The vulnerability affects the wireless multimedia application layer which is fundamental to device connectivity and network operations, making it a critical target for exploitation in mobile device environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18070 should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the wma_ndp_end_response_event_handler() function to prevent integer overflow conditions. Security patches should enforce maximum limits on the num_ndp_end_rsp_per_ndi_list variable to ensure that calculated values remain within the valid range for uint32 variables. Additionally, memory safety mechanisms including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space layout randomization should be implemented to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, making it a significant concern for mobile device security. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific heap overflow condition.