CVE-2018-3573 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, while relocating kernel images with a specially crafted boot image, an out of bounds access can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3573 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw affecting multiple Android variants including CAF-based systems, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android implementations. This issue manifests within the linux kernel subsystem responsible for handling kernel image relocation during boot processes, specifically when processing specially crafted boot images. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms during memory management operations, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to boot image modification capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of memory boundaries during kernel image relocation procedures. When the system processes a malformed boot image containing crafted relocation data, the kernel fails to properly validate the bounds of memory operations, leading to memory access violations that can result in system instability, privilege escalation, or arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and directly impacts the boot process, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited before normal security mechanisms are fully initialized. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses issues related to insufficient bounds checking in input validation, and represents a classic example of buffer overflow conditions occurring during memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3573 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated attackers to gain unauthorized system access or execute malicious code with elevated privileges. Attackers could potentially craft boot images that exploit this vulnerability to bypass security controls, install rootkits, or establish persistent backdoors within affected devices. The widespread nature of this vulnerability across multiple Android variants and hardware platforms increases its potential impact significantly. Systems utilizing Qualcomm's Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android configurations are all at risk, particularly devices that rely on traditional boot image loading mechanisms without proper input sanitization. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1542.001, covering 'Pre-OS Boot' attacks that target the boot process itself.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected kernel versions, with system administrators implementing comprehensive firmware updates across all impacted devices. Organizations should also consider implementing boot image integrity verification mechanisms and monitoring for anomalous boot behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in kernel space operations and highlights the critical need for proper bounds checking in memory management subsystems. Security teams should prioritize patch management processes and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected kernel versions, while also implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory access flaw.