Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Android OS Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

MS-ISAC ADVISORY NUMBER:

2018-051

DATE(S) ISSUED:

05/07/2018

OVERVIEW:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in the Google Android operating system (OS), the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Android is an operating system developed by Google for mobile devices, including, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets, and watches. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution within the context of a privileged process. Depending on the privileges associated with the application, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:

There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

RISK:

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Android OS, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution within the context of a privileged process. Details of these vulnerabilities are as follows:

• An information disclosure vulnerability in Android runtime. (CVE-2017-13309)
• Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities in Framework. (CVE-2017-13310, CVE-2017-13311)
• Multiple information disclosure vulnerabilities in Kernel components. (CVE-2017-16643, CVE-2017-5754)
• An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Media framework. (CVE-2017-13312)
• A denial of service vulnerability in Media framework. (CVE-2017-13313)
• An information disclosure vulnerability in NVIDIA components. (CVE-2017-5715)
• Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities in NVIDIA components. (CVE-2017-6289, CVE-2017-6293)
  • Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities in Qualcomm components. (CVE-2017-13077, CVE-2017-18154, CVE-2018-3562, CVE-2018-3565, CVE-2018-3578, CVE-2018-5840, CVE-2018-5841, CVE-2018-5845, CVE-2018-5846, CVE-2018-5850)
• An arbitrary code vulnerability in Qualcomm components. (CVE-2018-3580)
• Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities in System. (CVE-2017-13314, CVE-2017-13315)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of a privileged process. These vulnerabilities could be exploited through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files. Depending on the privileges associated with the application, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

RECOMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

• Apply appropriate updates by Google Android or mobile carriers to vulnerable systems, immediately after appropriate testing, when they become available.
• Remind users to only download applications from trusted vendors in the Play Store.
• Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
• Inform and educate users regarding threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments, especially from un-trusted sources.

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