CVE-2017-8255 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an integer overflow vulnerability exists in boot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8255 represents a critical integer overflow flaw discovered within the boot process of Qualcomm-based Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel. This issue affects all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum, making it a widespread concern across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems. The vulnerability specifically resides in the boot component of these systems, which serves as the initial stage of system initialization and firmware loading. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of certain boot parameters or memory allocation calculations, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted inputs.
This technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling within the boot loader or early boot components of the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset architecture. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes boot-related data structures that contain values exceeding the maximum representable integer limits for the specific data types used. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and wraparound conditions. The flaw allows for potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the boot process represents one of the most critical and least protected stages of system operation, where attackers can exploit the overflow to manipulate memory layout or execute arbitrary code before full system initialization occurs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8255 extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides adversaries with opportunities to gain unauthorized access to device functionality and potentially execute malicious code with elevated privileges. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security mechanisms that are typically active during the boot process, including secure boot features and hardware-based security measures. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation, particularly since it affects the earliest stages of system operation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation, and T1542, which covers exploitation of boot or logon initialization scripts. The impact is particularly severe because the boot process is typically executed with the highest privileges and is often not subject to the same security checks applied during normal runtime operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8255 require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists at the kernel level and cannot be addressed through software patches alone without corresponding hardware or bootloader modifications. Organizations should implement robust firmware update policies and ensure that all devices receive security patches from Qualcomm and device manufacturers promptly. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot processes and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those utilizing Qualcomm chipsets. System administrators should monitor for firmware updates from device vendors and consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potentially compromised devices within their environments. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing during the development lifecycle, particularly for boot components that handle untrusted input data. The issue demonstrates how vulnerabilities in foundational system components can provide attackers with persistent access to devices, making it crucial for organizations to maintain up-to-date security practices and vulnerability management procedures.