CVE-2018-11022 in Kindle Fire HD
Summary
by MITRE
kernel/omap/drivers/misc/gcx/gcioctl/gcif.c in the kernel component in Amazon Kindle Fire HD(3rd) Fire OS 4.5.5.3 allows attackers to inject a crafted argument via the argument of an ioctl on device /dev/gcioctl with the command 3224132973 and cause a kernel crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11022 resides within the kernel component of Amazon Kindle Fire HD (3rd generation) devices running Fire OS 4.5.5.3 operating system. This issue manifests in the gcx/gcioctl/gcif.c driver file, which handles device operations through the /dev/gcioctl interface. The flaw specifically affects the ioctl command with the hexadecimal value 3224132973, representing a critical kernel-level vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations. The kernel component in these devices is responsible for managing hardware interactions and system resources, making any vulnerability in this area potentially catastrophic for device functionality and security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ioctl handler function. When an attacker supplies a crafted argument to the ioctl command, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters before processing them within kernel space. This lack of proper validation creates a path for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions that can lead to complete system crashes. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow or improper input handling scenario where kernel memory structures become corrupted due to malicious input, resulting in unpredictable behavior including system panics and kernel oops messages that terminate normal device operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device instability, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise the Kindle Fire HD device. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the affected device operates in a consumer environment where users may not have the technical expertise to recognize or mitigate such threats. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for enterprise deployments where these devices might be used in sensitive environments, as the potential for escalation to full system control exists.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11022 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Amazon, as this vulnerability affects a specific version of Fire OS that has likely been patched in subsequent releases. System administrators and device security teams should implement monitoring for unusual ioctl activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged for privilege escalation techniques under the T1068, and potentially for persistence mechanisms through kernel-level modifications. Organizations should also consider implementing device access controls and monitoring for unauthorized ioctl commands to detect potential exploitation attempts before they can cause system compromise.