CVE-2024-27221 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
In update_policy_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-2024-27221 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the update_policy_data function of a targeted system component. This issue stems from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms that should validate data integrity before memory operations occur. The flaw exists in the policy data update functionality where input validation fails to properly constrain array access boundaries, creating a scenario where malicious data could overwrite adjacent memory locations. Such vulnerabilities typically arise in systems where legacy code lacks modern security controls or where security considerations were not adequately addressed during development phases.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. This characteristic places the vulnerability in a particularly dangerous category as it can be leveraged by any local user to gain elevated system privileges. The absence of user interaction requirements significantly reduces the attack surface and makes exploitation more straightforward compared to scenarios requiring social engineering or additional attack vectors. The out-of-bounds write operation can potentially overwrite critical system data structures, function pointers, or other memory regions essential for proper system operation, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture. Local privilege escalation vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they allow attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user accounts to administrative or root level access. The impact extends beyond simple privilege elevation as the compromised system could be used as a foothold for further lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish command and control capabilities. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system binary modification or exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate code-level fixes including implementation of proper bounds checking mechanisms and input validation procedures. The most effective approach involves adding comprehensive validation checks before any memory write operations occur, ensuring that array indices and data lengths are properly constrained. System administrators should implement the latest security patches and updates provided by vendors as soon as they become available. Additional protective measures include enabling address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and other exploit mitigation techniques. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, particularly in functions handling policy data or memory management operations. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.