CVE-2024-27212 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
In init_data of TBD, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27212 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the init_data function of an unspecified system component. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The absence of proper bounds checking in the initialization routine creates a pathway for malicious code to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in system-level components where the init_data function typically handles critical initialization processes that establish the foundation for system operations.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the init_data function. When processing initialization data, the system fails to verify that write operations remain within allocated memory boundaries, allowing an attacker to potentially overwrite critical system structures or data segments. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The exploitability of this issue is heightened by the fact that it requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically during system initialization or when the vulnerable component is loaded into memory. The lack of user interaction requirements aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27212 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise through local privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root or administrative privileges on the affected system, enabling them to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data, or disable security mechanisms. The vulnerability's potential for automatic exploitation during system boot or component initialization means that the attack surface is maximized, as the system is typically running with elevated privileges during these critical phases. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems, as the exploitation can occur without any user involvement or awareness, effectively bypassing many traditional security controls and monitoring mechanisms that rely on user interaction for attack initiation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-27212 should focus on implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms within the init_data function and related initialization routines. System administrators should prioritize applying vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available, as these typically contain the necessary fixes to address the missing bounds checks. Additional defensive measures include implementing address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and other memory protection techniques to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability cannot be immediately patched. Regular security audits and code reviews should specifically target initialization functions and memory management routines to identify similar issues. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems that can detect anomalous behavior during system initialization phases, as these attacks may not be immediately apparent through standard network-based detection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular system integrity checks to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.