CVE-2017-9710 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android, with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, IOCTL interface to send QMI NOTIFY REQ messages can be called from multiple contexts which can result in buffer overflow of msg cache.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9710 affects Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel and specifically targets the Qualcomm-based mobile platforms through the QMI (QCDM Messaging Interface) protocol implementation. This issue manifests within the kernel-level IOCTL (Input/Output Control) interface responsible for handling QMI NOTIFY REQ messages, creating a critical security weakness that can be exploited across multiple system contexts. The flaw resides in how the kernel processes these specific message types, where the message cache handling does not properly validate input parameters or enforce buffer boundaries, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the QMI message processing subsystem. When multiple contexts attempt to invoke the IOCTL interface to send QMI NOTIFY REQ messages simultaneously, the system fails to adequately manage the shared message cache buffer. This race condition scenario allows malicious actors to overflow the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions and corrupting critical kernel data structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with elevated privileges and the ability to manipulate core system functionality. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) that occurs due to insufficient validation of input data within kernel space operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9710 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within kernel space, potentially gaining root access to affected devices. The multi-context nature of the flaw means that any application or service with access to the IOCTL interface can contribute to the buffer overflow condition, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications might interact with the same kernel resources. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers could leverage kernel-level access to establish persistent backdoors or execute malicious payloads. The affected platforms include various Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) and Firefox OS for MSM, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm-based mobile devices and embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9710 require immediate implementation of kernel-level patches that enforce proper buffer boundary checking and implement robust input validation for QMI message processing. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices to patched kernel versions that address the specific buffer overflow conditions in the IOCTL interface handling. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual patterns in QMI message processing or IOCTL calls. The solution must include proper synchronization mechanisms to prevent concurrent access violations and ensure that message cache buffers are properly sized and validated before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining compliance with security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-128 for kernel security hardening.