CVE-2017-7365 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer overread can occur if a particular string is not NULL terminated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7365 represents a critical buffer overread condition affecting Android devices that utilize Linux kernel components from the Code Aurora Forum. This flaw manifests when processing strings that lack proper NULL termination, creating a scenario where the system attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within kernel-level string processing functions that assume all input strings are properly terminated, leading to potential memory access violations and system instability.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Android operating system framework, specifically impacting devices that rely on Linux kernel implementations from the Code Aurora Forum. The buffer overread occurs during string handling operations where the kernel's string processing routines fail to validate whether input strings contain proper termination characters. When such malformed strings are processed, the system's memory management routines attempt to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents or causing system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through various input vectors including network communications, file processing, or user-controllable data streams that may contain improperly terminated strings.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7365 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable more severe security consequences. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to read kernel memory contents, potentially extracting sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, credentials, or other confidential data stored in kernel memory spaces. The overread condition may also facilitate privilege escalation attacks by allowing malicious code to access memory locations that should remain protected, thereby undermining the kernel's security model. Additionally, the vulnerability can cause denial of service conditions by triggering system crashes or reboots, disrupting normal device operations and potentially providing attackers with opportunities to execute persistent malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7365 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices. Organizations should prioritize applying security patches released by device manufacturers and the Android security team to address the underlying kernel-level implementation issues. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple layers, ensuring that all string processing functions include proper NULL termination checks before memory operations occur. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Defensive measures should also include runtime monitoring of memory access patterns and implementing address space layout randomization to complicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of kernel components and input validation routines are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations.