CVE-2017-8274 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, an access control vulnerability exists in Core.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8274 represents a critical access control flaw within the Android operating system ecosystem, specifically affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets. This vulnerability manifests in devices running Android versions prior to the security patch level of April 5, 2018, impacting a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, and other related chipsets. The flaw exists within the core components of the Android system, specifically within the Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware platform that serves as the foundation for numerous mobile devices worldwide. This access control weakness fundamentally undermines the security architecture by allowing unauthorized access to protected system resources and functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the core system components of the Snapdragon processors. The flaw enables malicious actors to bypass normal authentication and authorization procedures that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. This weakness allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to system resources that should remain restricted to authorized processes and users. The vulnerability specifically affects the core processing units within the Snapdragon chipsets, which are responsible for executing critical system operations and managing access to protected resources. This architectural weakness exists at a fundamental level within the hardware-software integration, making it particularly challenging to remediate without complete system rearchitecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8274 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a gateway for comprehensive system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially gain root-level access to affected devices, enabling them to install malicious applications, modify system files, monitor communications, and extract sensitive user data. The widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across numerous Android devices means that this vulnerability impacts a substantial user base, potentially including smartphones, tablets, wearables, and other mobile devices. This access control flaw represents a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy, as it allows attackers to operate undetected within the system while maintaining persistent access to sensitive information and system functions.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including applying the latest security patches released by Qualcomm and Android vendors, as well as conducting comprehensive security assessments of affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for initial access and persistence within compromised systems. Device manufacturers should ensure that all affected devices receive timely security updates and that users are educated about the importance of maintaining current security patches. Additionally, network monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could enable sophisticated attack campaigns targeting enterprise environments and individual users alike.