CVE-2018-11273 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, 'voice_svc_dev' is allocated as a device-managed resource. If error 'cdev_alloc_err' occurs, 'device_destroy' will free all associated resources, including 'voice_svc_dev' leading to a double free.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-11273 represents a critical memory management flaw affecting multiple Android variants including MSM, Firefox OS, and QRD Android platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of device-managed resources within the Linux kernel implementation used by these mobile operating systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the voice_svc_dev device is allocated as a resource managed by the device subsystem, creating a potential for severe memory corruption conditions that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw occurs during error handling within the device management subsystem where a specific error condition named 'cdev_alloc_err' triggers an improper resource cleanup sequence. When this error occurs, the device_destroy function is invoked which is designed to free all resources associated with a device. However, in this particular scenario, the function attempts to free the voice_svc_dev resource twice, leading to a classic double free vulnerability. This memory management error violates fundamental security principles and can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, memory corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable privilege escalation and remote code execution attacks. Attackers could exploit this double free condition to manipulate kernel memory structures, potentially gaining elevated privileges or causing denial of service conditions that would compromise the entire device. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android implementations from Qualcomm's Android for MSM platforms through Firefox OS for MSM to QRD Android variants, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple device manufacturers and software stacks. This broad impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations managing large fleets of mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11273 should focus on immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper error handling procedures within device management subsystems. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that address this specific double free condition in device_destroy functions. Additionally, implementing memory safety checks and validating device resource allocation sequences can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 which describes double free conditions in memory management, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and system exploitation through kernel vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.