CVE-2017-8180 in Nice-AL00
Summary
by MITRE
The camera driver of MTK platform in Huawei smart phones with software of versions earlier than Nice-AL00C00B155 has a buffer overflow vulnerability.Due to the insufficient input verification, an attacker tricks a user into installing a malicious application which has special privilege and sends a specific parameter to the driver of the smart phone, causing privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8180 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the camera driver component of Huawei smartphones running MTK platform software versions prior to Nice-AL00C00B155. This weakness resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for handling camera operations, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited through malicious applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the driver's parameter processing functions, which fail to properly validate the size and content of data received from user-space applications. This insufficient verification allows attackers to craft specially crafted parameters that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential privilege escalation. The flaw specifically affects Huawei devices utilizing MediaTek (MTK) chipsets, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these platforms in mobile devices across various markets.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined attack pattern that aligns with common privilege escalation vectors in mobile operating systems. Attackers can leverage the buffer overflow by installing a malicious application with elevated privileges that can communicate with the vulnerable camera driver. The malicious application sends specially crafted parameters that trigger the buffer overflow condition, allowing the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This type of vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack model demonstrates how insufficient input validation creates an attack surface where user-space applications can influence kernel-level operations through improper parameter handling, representing a classic case of insufficient validation of input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8180 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables full system compromise through privilege escalation. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain root access to the device, potentially enabling complete data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and system modification without user consent. The attack requires only the installation of a malicious application with appropriate privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised app stores, or social engineering techniques. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Huawei devices, creating a significant security risk for users who have not updated their software to the patched version Nice-AL00C00B155. This type of privilege escalation attack is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as privilege escalation through kernel exploits, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' technique. The vulnerability's impact is further compounded by the fact that it can be exploited without requiring physical access to the device, making it a serious concern for mobile security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8180 focus primarily on software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective immediate solution is updating to Huawei software version Nice-AL00C00B155 or later, which includes patches addressing the buffer overflow condition in the camera driver. Organizations and users should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all devices receive timely security updates. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation practices in kernel drivers, aligning with security best practices outlined in secure coding guidelines and standards such as those recommended by the CERT Secure Coding Standards. Device manufacturers should implement more rigorous security testing procedures for driver components, particularly focusing on boundary condition validation and memory management practices to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in future implementations.