CVE-2017-6280 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
"NIVIDIA driver contains a possible out-of-bounds read vulnerability due to a leak which may lead to information disclosure. This issue is rated as moderate. Android: A-63851980."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6280 resides within NVIDIA graphics drivers for Android systems, representing a critical concern for mobile device security. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs due to a memory leak in the driver's implementation, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability affects the graphics processing unit driver component that manages hardware acceleration for graphical operations on Android devices. The flaw stems from improper memory management where allocated resources are not correctly released, leading to data leakage that can be exploited by malicious actors. The Android-specific nature of this vulnerability indicates its impact on mobile platforms where graphics rendering and hardware acceleration are extensively utilized. The issue is classified as moderate severity but carries significant implications given the privileged nature of graphics drivers and their access to system resources.
The technical root cause of CVE-2017-6280 can be traced to a memory leak pattern within the NVIDIA driver code that results in an out-of-bounds read operation. When the driver processes certain graphics commands or handles specific memory allocations, it fails to properly manage the lifecycle of allocated memory blocks. This memory leak creates a situation where subsequent operations may access memory locations that have been freed or are otherwise inaccessible, leading to unintended data exposure. The vulnerability specifically affects how the driver handles buffer management during graphics processing tasks, where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory access beyond allocated boundaries. This type of flaw typically occurs in low-level system components where memory management is critical and errors can have cascading effects on system security. The leak pattern suggests that the driver maintains references to memory locations that should have been deallocated, creating a window of opportunity for information disclosure through memory probing techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the mobile security landscape. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive data that might include system memory contents, user credentials, or application data that resides in memory regions accessible through the graphics driver interface. The information disclosure aspect represents a significant risk for mobile devices where users store personal information, financial data, and confidential communications. The vulnerability's presence in graphics drivers means that any application leveraging hardware acceleration could potentially be used as a vector for exploitation, as graphics operations are frequently used across various applications. The Android-specific nature of this issue indicates that mobile device manufacturers and users face elevated risks, particularly on devices with NVIDIA graphics processors where the driver components are actively utilized for performance optimization. The moderate severity rating reflects the complexity of exploitation but does not diminish the potential for serious security consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6280 should focus on immediate driver updates and system hardening measures to address the memory leak and out-of-bounds read conditions. Device manufacturers must prioritize the deployment of patched NVIDIA drivers that correct the memory management issues within the graphics processing unit components. Users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from manufacturers and avoid using untrusted applications that might trigger the vulnerable code paths. System administrators and security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures that can identify unusual graphics driver behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-401, which covers improper resource management. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged for initial access through privilege escalation techniques or information gathering activities, potentially enabling further exploitation through lateral movement. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in graphics driver components. The remediation process requires careful testing to ensure that driver updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications while effectively addressing the memory management flaws that create the exploitation window.