CVE-2017-8241 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer overflow vulnerability exists in a WLAN function due to an incorrect message length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8241 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Android Framework (CAF) components integrated with the Linux kernel. This issue specifically targets wireless local area network (WLAN) functionality within the kernel space, creating a potential exploitation vector for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access or compromise system integrity. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of message length parameters within the WLAN subsystem, which allows attackers to craft malicious network packets that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries during processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation mechanisms implemented within the WLAN driver code. When the system receives network messages containing malformed length indicators, the kernel fails to properly verify that incoming data fits within predetermined buffer limits before copying the data into memory structures. This oversight creates a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with elevated privileges that bypass standard user-space protections and security mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes Android devices to significant risks including remote code execution, denial of service attacks, and potential privilege escalation. Attackers can exploit this flaw by transmitting specially crafted WLAN frames to target devices, requiring no physical access or user interaction. The impact extends across all Android versions utilizing the affected Qualcomm CAF components, making it a widespread concern affecting millions of devices globally. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, as well as T1068 for local privilege escalation, demonstrating how kernel-level flaws can enable broader attack vectors within the adversary's kill chain.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by device manufacturers and Qualcomm, enabling network traffic filtering to prevent malicious WLAN frames, and monitoring for unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, highlighting the fundamental nature of improper memory management in kernel drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies and enhanced monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Device vendors must prioritize rapid patch deployment and maintain comprehensive vulnerability disclosure practices to protect users from this critical flaw that undermines the fundamental security of wireless communications on affected Android platforms.