CVE-2017-8268 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, the camera application can possibly request frame/command buffer processing with invalid values leading to the driver performing a heap buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8268 represents a critical heap buffer over-read flaw within the camera driver component of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors integrated into various Android devices. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Linux kernel implementation used by Qualcomm's Android-based products, creating a pathway for malicious buffer manipulation that could potentially be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Availability Framework (CAF) that incorporate the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across multiple device models and manufacturers. The root cause lies in the camera application's ability to submit frame or command buffer requests containing invalid parameters, which the driver processes without adequate bounds checking, leading to memory access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when the camera driver receives malformed buffer descriptors or command parameters from the application layer. When processing these invalid inputs, the driver performs memory operations that extend beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, resulting in a heap buffer over-read condition. This memory corruption can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions or cause unpredictable behavior in the driver component. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the camera subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially escalate to system-level privileges and compromise overall device security. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in kernel-space drivers. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from kernel memory or cause system instability through controlled memory access violations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8268 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within the Android security model. An attacker with access to the camera application interface could theoretically craft malicious buffer requests that trigger the over-read condition, potentially leading to information disclosure, privilege escalation, or system crash conditions. This vulnerability particularly affects devices where the camera functionality is frequently utilized, as the attack surface increases with application usage patterns. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the driver validation architecture and could be exploited as part of broader attack chains targeting mobile device security. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability could be leveraged under techniques such as T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1005 (Data from Local System), as it provides potential access to kernel memory and system resources. The widespread adoption of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors in Android devices means that numerous smartphone, tablet, and other mobile platforms could be vulnerable, making this issue particularly concerning for enterprise and consumer security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8268 should focus on both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Qualcomm released security patches addressing this issue in subsequent kernel updates, which should be deployed across affected devices to eliminate the heap buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure timely security updates are applied to all vulnerable platforms. Additionally, defensive measures such as kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) and stack canaries can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Application sandboxing and input validation improvements within the camera application itself can help reduce the attack surface by preventing malformed buffer requests from reaching the vulnerable driver code. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous buffer access patterns and memory corruption indicators that could signal exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in kernel drivers and the need for continuous security assessments of mobile platform components to prevent similar issues from emerging in future implementations.