CVE-2024-31336 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2024
Imagination PowerVR-GPU in Android before 2024-09-05 has a High Severity Vulnerability, aka A-337949672.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31336 affects Imagination Technologies PowerVR GPU implementations within Android devices, representing a critical security flaw that emerged before the specified patch date of 2024-09-05. This issue resides within the graphics processing unit's firmware and driver components, specifically impacting the secure execution environment and memory management systems that govern how graphical operations are processed and isolated from the main operating system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory protection mechanisms within the GPU's kernel drivers, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
This high severity vulnerability manifests through improper handling of graphics command buffers and memory allocation processes within the PowerVR GPU subsystem. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit memory corruption issues during GPU task execution, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics processing and system security, where the GPU's memory management unit fails to properly validate memory access patterns and command sequences. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate GPU operations and potentially gain access to system-level resources that should remain protected from user-space applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-31336 extends beyond simple graphical rendering issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security boundaries that separate trusted system components from potentially malicious applications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to bypass Android's security model, particularly affecting the isolation between different application processes and the kernel itself. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, persistent backdoor installation, and potential lateral movement within the device's security architecture. This represents a significant threat to mobile device security, especially in enterprise environments where Android devices handle confidential information and corporate data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of firmware updates and security patches provided by Imagination Technologies and device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Android devices, particularly those running versions prior to the specified 2024-09-05 release. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious GPU activity and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses memory corruption issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' in the context of GPU-based attack vectors. Device manufacturers must ensure proper verification of GPU firmware integrity and implement robust memory protection mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access to privileged execution contexts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs of GPU-related activities for forensic analysis purposes.