CVE-2018-12014 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, Null pointer dereference vulnerability may occur due to missing NULL assignment in NAT module of freed pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Network Address Translation (NAT) module of the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android platforms including MSM variants, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android. The flaw manifests when the kernel's NAT module fails to properly handle freed memory pointers, creating a scenario where a null pointer dereference can occur during network packet processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate NULL assignment practices within the kernel's memory management routines, specifically affecting how the system handles network traffic that passes through the NAT module. This issue impacts all Android releases from Code Aurora Forum (CAF) that utilize the Linux kernel, making it a widespread concern across multiple device families and hardware platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's handling of network packet processing within the NAT module where memory allocated for network connections is freed but not properly nullified. When subsequent operations attempt to access this freed memory location, the system encounters a null pointer dereference which can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where such failures can result in complete system crashes or unauthorized access to system resources. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability that occurs in kernel space operations, making it highly impactful for system security and stability. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics as attackers could potentially exploit this to crash systems or gain unauthorized access to network processing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-12014 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise network security. When the NAT module encounters a null pointer dereference, it can cause the kernel to panic and reboot the entire system, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts network connectivity for users. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where continuous network connectivity is essential for device functionality and user experience. The exploitation of this flaw could allow attackers to repeatedly crash network services, making devices unreliable for communication purposes. Additionally, the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as kernel-level instability often creates opportunities for privilege escalation or information disclosure. The widespread nature of this vulnerability across multiple Android variants means that numerous devices could be affected simultaneously, amplifying the potential impact on end users and network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected kernel versions, implementing proper memory management practices in kernel modules, and deploying monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions that include fixes for this vulnerability, particularly those released after the initial patching efforts. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves ensuring proper NULL assignment after memory deallocation in the NAT module, preventing the scenario where freed pointers are accessed without proper validation. Additionally, implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of kernel modules should be conducted to identify similar memory management issues that could present similar vulnerabilities in other system components.