CVE-2018-3570 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the cpuidle driver in all Android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the Linux kernel, the list_for_each macro was not used correctly which could lead to an untrusted pointer dereference.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3570 resides within the cpuidle driver component of Android operating systems that utilize Linux kernel implementations from the Code Aurora Forum. This flaw affects multiple Android variants including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android platforms. The issue manifests in how the kernel processes idle state transitions through the cpuidle subsystem, which is responsible for managing processor idle states to conserve power during periods of inactivity.
The technical root cause stems from improper implementation of the list_for_each macro within the kernel codebase. This macro is designed to iterate through linked list structures in kernel space, but in this instance it was not correctly utilized, creating a scenario where an untrusted pointer could be dereferenced during normal system operation. The improper usage allows for potential manipulation of the iteration process, leading to memory access violations that could be exploited by malicious actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within kernel space or cause system instability through denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically targets the cpuidle driver's handling of idle state transitions, which occur frequently during normal system operation, making exploitation more likely and potentially more impactful than other kernel vulnerabilities. The untrusted pointer dereference could result in privilege escalation, system crashes, or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" through kernel exploits. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying security patches from their respective vendors, updating to patched kernel versions, and monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing kernel module integrity checking mechanisms and enhanced logging around cpuidle driver operations to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Security researchers have noted that this class of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at kernel level where any successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. The patch typically involves correcting the list_for_each macro usage to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing, ensuring that all list traversal operations maintain proper bounds checking and null validation. Organizations using affected Android variants should prioritize patch deployment and conduct thorough security assessments of their systems to ensure complete remediation of this vulnerability across all affected devices and platforms.