CVE-2018-11988 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, Un-trusted pointer de-reference issue by accessing a variable which is already freed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11988 represents a critical memory safety issue affecting multiple Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android implementations. This flaw resides within the Linux kernel components utilized by these mobile operating systems, creating a persistent security risk across various device manufacturers and hardware configurations. The vulnerability manifests as an untrusted pointer dereference that occurs when the system attempts to access a variable that has already been freed from memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
This memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the kernel's handling of dynamically allocated resources. The technical flaw falls under the category of use-after-free conditions, which are classified as CWE-416 by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. When a system allocates memory for a variable and subsequently frees it, but fails to properly nullify the pointer reference, subsequent access attempts to that pointer can result in accessing invalid memory locations. The attacker can exploit this condition by manipulating the system to trigger the use-after-free scenario, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this issue could enable adversaries to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to persistent access within affected systems. The vulnerability affects devices running various Android versions including 5.1, 6.0, 7.1, and 8.0, making it particularly dangerous as it spans a wide range of mobile platforms. The untrusted pointer dereference creates a path for attackers to potentially execute malicious code, manipulate system resources, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11988 require immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper memory management controls. Organizations should prioritize applying security updates from their respective vendors, particularly focusing on the Linux kernel components that govern memory allocation and deallocation processes. The vulnerability can be addressed through kernel-level patches that implement proper null pointer checks and memory validation procedures. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing runtime protections such as memory protection mechanisms and stack canaries to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed. The fix typically involves ensuring that all freed memory pointers are properly invalidated and that subsequent access checks are performed before any pointer dereference operations occur, thereby preventing the exploitation of use-after-free conditions.