CVE-2017-9718 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, a race condition in a multimedia driver can potentially lead to a buffer overwrite.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9718 represents a critical race condition flaw within the multimedia driver component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting devices utilizing the Linux kernel framework. This issue manifests in multiple Android variants including MSM (Mobile Services Module) platforms, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android implementations. The race condition occurs during multimedia processing operations where concurrent access to shared memory resources creates unpredictable execution paths that can result in memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects all Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the multimedia driver subsystem. When multiple processes or threads attempt to access the same buffer memory locations simultaneously, the lack of adequate mutex locks or atomic operations creates a window where buffer boundaries can be exceeded. This race condition typically occurs during video decoding or audio processing operations where the driver manages memory allocation and deallocation. The buffer overwrite vulnerability allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions or overwriting critical system structures. This flaw aligns with CWE-362 which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming environments, where the timing of operations can lead to security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9718 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with potential privilege escalation capabilities within the kernel space. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to gain elevated system privileges, allowing them to execute malicious code with kernel-level permissions. This represents a significant threat to device integrity and user data protection, as the attacker could potentially install persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or exfiltrate sensitive information. The vulnerability affects a broad range of mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems that rely on the affected Linux kernel implementations. The attack surface is particularly wide given that this flaw exists across multiple Android variants and hardware platforms, making it a prime target for sophisticated malware campaigns and nation-state actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment from device manufacturers and carriers, as the race condition cannot be effectively addressed through user-level configuration changes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure timely updates across all affected devices and platforms. The solution involves proper synchronization mechanisms within the multimedia driver code, including the implementation of appropriate mutex locks, semaphores, or atomic operations to prevent concurrent access to shared memory resources. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper concurrent programming practices and adherence to secure coding standards, particularly when dealing with kernel-level drivers that handle sensitive multimedia data processing operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities that allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges through memory corruption flaws.