CVE-2018-5873 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Due to a race condition when accessing files in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel (Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) before security patch level 2018-07-05, a Use After Free condition in the kernel can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5873 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android platforms including Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android. This issue stems from improper synchronization mechanisms during file access operations, creating a window where malicious actors can exploit temporal inconsistencies in kernel memory management. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and remains unpatched until the security patch level 2018-07-05, leaving millions of devices exposed to potential exploitation. The race condition specifically manifests when multiple processes attempt concurrent access to the same file resources, creating unpredictable behavior in the kernel's memory allocation and deallocation processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability results in a Use After Free condition, which occurs when the kernel attempts to access memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated to another process or data structure. This particular flaw falls under CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, and represents a classic example of improper resource management in kernel space. When the race condition occurs during file access operations, the kernel's file descriptor management system fails to properly synchronize access between concurrent processes, leading to situations where a file handle may be closed and its associated memory freed while another process still maintains references to it. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations on the freed memory block can corrupt data structures or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5873 extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides attackers with potential kernel-level privilege escalation capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the highest system privileges, effectively compromising the entire device and potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, communications, and system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple Android variants and platforms, including those used in automotive systems, IoT devices, and mobile devices from various manufacturers. The timing of the race condition makes exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can carefully orchestrate concurrent file access operations to trigger the memory corruption. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and represents a critical threat to device integrity and user privacy across the affected platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5873 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, with the specific patch level 2018-07-05 providing the necessary kernel-level fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected devices receive the updates promptly, particularly those deployed in enterprise environments or critical infrastructure. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel synchronization mechanisms and proper resource management in mobile operating systems. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting kernel memory corruption vulnerabilities. Device manufacturers should enhance their testing procedures to include more rigorous race condition analysis during kernel development cycles, and implement proper memory management protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future releases.