CVE-2018-21064 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) and O(8.x) software. There is an array overflow in a driver's input booster. The Samsung ID is SVE-2017-11816 (August 2018).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21064 represents a critical array overflow condition affecting Samsung mobile devices running Android Nougat version 7.x and Oreo version 8.x operating systems. This flaw exists within the driver's input booster component, which is responsible for managing and optimizing input device interactions such as touch screen responses, button presses, and other user interface events. The input booster functionality serves as a performance optimization layer that buffers and processes input events to ensure smooth user experience while maintaining system responsiveness. The vulnerability manifests when the driver fails to properly validate array boundaries during input event processing, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution or system instability.
This array overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" and represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the system attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of an array. The flaw specifically affects the input booster driver which operates at a low system level within the Android kernel space, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain elevated privileges or cause system crashes. The Samsung security advisory SVE-2017-11816 indicates this vulnerability was discovered and documented in August 2018, highlighting the extended timeframe between discovery and public disclosure that often characterizes such critical security flaws in mobile device ecosystems.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-21064 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks and arbitrary code execution within the kernel space. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through malicious applications or system-level payloads that manipulate input events in ways that trigger the buffer overflow condition. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security mechanisms, execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, or cause persistent system crashes that render devices unusable. The affected Samsung devices with Nougat and Oreo software versions represent a significant user base that would be vulnerable to such attacks, particularly in environments where users might be诱导ed to install malicious applications or where zero-day exploits are deployed.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. The input booster driver operates with elevated privileges necessary for system-level input handling, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges. Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Samsung security patches released in response to the SVE-2017-11816 advisory, which typically include array boundary checks and input validation improvements within the driver code. Additionally, system administrators should implement mobile device management policies that ensure timely patch deployment, maintain device firmware integrity, and monitor for anomalous input processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of kernel-level security validation and proper input sanitization in mobile operating system components that handle user interaction data.