CVE-2017-18145 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, while the DPM native process is processing framework events, the iterator pointer is deleted after processing an event. When processing subsequent events, a Use After Condition will occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets affecting Android devices before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw occurs within the Device Policy Manager (DPM) native process where framework events are processed, representing a critical memory management issue that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of iterator pointers within the DPM framework, specifically when an iterator is deleted after processing a single event but subsequent events are processed using the same deleted iterator reference. This use after condition scenario creates a predictable memory access pattern that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory conditions in software development. The DPM native process operates at a privileged level within the Android security model, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass Android's security boundaries. When the iterator pointer is deleted after event processing, any subsequent access to that memory location results in undefined behavior that can be manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects multiple Qualcomm chipsets including the MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, and SD 845, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's mobile platform portfolio. This vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as it enables attackers to gain elevated system privileges and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial of service conditions and complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw through malicious applications or system-level attacks that trigger the DPM event processing path, leading to arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently install third-party applications. Given that this affects the core Android security framework components, successful exploitation can result in complete device compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Snapdragon chipsets means that a significant portion of Android devices manufactured prior to the 2018-04-05 patch level are potentially vulnerable, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures and monitor for any suspicious system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats targeting mobile device security.