CVE-2024-32891 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2024
In sec_media_unprotect of media.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a race condition. 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 • 07/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32891 resides within the sec_media_unprotect function in the media.c source file, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that stems from an inherent race condition in the system's media protection mechanisms. This particular vulnerability manifests when the system attempts to handle media unprotection operations, where concurrent access patterns create a scenario where memory operations overlap in an unsafe manner. The race condition occurs during the transition period when the system checks media protection status and subsequently modifies memory structures, leaving a window where malicious code or processes can manipulate the system state between these operations. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level where memory corruption can directly influence kernel operations and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it exceptionally dangerous in environments where local access is possible. The race condition specifically affects the memory management subsystem during media protection state transitions, where the system fails to properly synchronize access to shared memory regions. This memory corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution within kernel space, enabling attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to root or administrative access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction because it leverages inherent system timing and access patterns that occur during normal media handling operations, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through standard monitoring systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32891 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as the memory corruption can potentially destabilize the entire system by corrupting critical kernel data structures or memory management tables. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-362, which describes Race Conditions in the context of concurrent access to shared resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through system weaknesses. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional attack vectors or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for systems where local access is possible or where attackers can gain footholds through other means. Systems running affected software versions are vulnerable to complete compromise, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to manipulate system calls, bypass security controls, or establish persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment from the software vendor, as the race condition represents a fundamental flaw in the system's concurrency control mechanisms. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and privilege escalation attempts, while also considering the application of kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and control flow integrity checks. The vulnerability's nature as a race condition suggests that temporary workarounds might include disabling specific media handling functions or implementing additional synchronization mechanisms, though these approaches should be considered temporary measures while proper patches are deployed. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive system audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts or system instability that might have occurred during the vulnerability's active period, as the memory corruption could have left residual system artifacts or compromised system integrity that requires thorough forensic analysis.