CVE-2017-9714 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, an out of bound memory access may happen in limCheckRxRSNIeMatch in case incorrect RSNIE is received from the client in assoc request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android systems. The issue manifests specifically in the wireless networking subsystem where the limCheckRxRSNIeMatch function fails to properly validate received RSNIE (Robust Security Network Information Element) data during association requests. When a malicious client sends malformed or incorrectly structured RSNIE data, the kernel function attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating a classic out-of-bounds memory access condition. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited to cause system instability or potentially enable arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation details.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The flaw occurs during the wireless association process when the kernel attempts to parse and validate RSNIE information from client devices. The limCheckRxRSNIeMatch function likely assumes certain data structures or buffer sizes without proper validation checks, allowing attackers to craft specially crafted association requests that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in wireless networking contexts as it can be exploited remotely by adversaries within the wireless network range.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or denial of service conditions. Given that this affects core kernel components used across multiple Android variants and embedded systems, the potential for exploitation spans across various device types including smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices that rely on Qualcomm MSM chipsets. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause persistent system instability, leading to device lockups or forced reboots that disrupt normal operations. More concerning is the potential for privilege escalation or code execution if the out-of-bounds access allows manipulation of critical kernel memory regions, which would align with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the wireless networking subsystem. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that address this specific out-of-bounds memory access issue, ensuring that all RSNIE parsing functions include proper boundary checks and input validation routines. Network security teams should implement monitoring for malformed association requests and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running affected kernel versions and establish remediation schedules that account for the widespread nature of this vulnerability across multiple Android platforms and chipset architectures.