CVE-2018-9395 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
In mtk_cfg80211_vendor_packet_keep_alive_start and mtk_cfg80211_vendor_set_config of drivers/misc/mediatek/connectivity/wlan/gen2/os/linux/gl_vendor.c, there is a possible OOB write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9395 resides within the Mediatek connectivity driver for wireless local area networks, specifically in the vendor packet keep alive start and set config functions. This issue manifests as a potential out-of-bounds write condition that arises from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the kernel-level driver code. The flaw exists in the gl_vendor.c file within the Mediatek wireless driver implementation, which operates at the system execution privilege level, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the vendor command handling functions that process wireless configuration parameters. When the mtk_cfg80211_vendor_packet_keep_alive_start and mtk_cfg80211_vendor_set_config functions receive crafted input parameters, they fail to validate array boundaries before writing data to memory locations. This missing bounds check creates an exploitable condition where malicious input can cause data to be written beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds checking issue, which directly relates to improper validation of input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to local privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker with access to the system can leverage this flaw to execute code with system-level privileges. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, the vulnerability presents a significant risk in environments where local access is possible, such as in mobile devices, embedded systems, or IoT devices running Mediatek wireless chipsets. The attack vector operates entirely within the kernel space, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass typical user-mode security controls and potentially provide full system compromise capabilities.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the privilege escalation tactics where adversaries can leverage kernel-level flaws to gain elevated privileges. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this particularly concerning for automated exploitation scenarios. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the driver code, applying kernel patches from Mediatek and upstream Linux kernel maintainers, and implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any unauthorized local access attempts and consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in kernel-level code and aligns with industry best practices for secure coding standards that emphasize defensive programming techniques to prevent buffer overflows and memory corruption vulnerabilities.