CVE-2011-1823 is a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the Android operating system. Specifically, this vulnerability allows local users to execute arbitrary code and gain root privileges. The issue arises from the vold volume manager daemon in Android 3.0 and versions 2.x prior to 2.3.4, which trusts messages received from a PF_NETLINK socket, enabling an attacker to exploit a negative index that bypasses a maximum-only signed integer check in the DirectVolume::handlePartitionAdded method. This vulnerability has been demonstrated by the exploit known as Gingerbreak.
The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a high level of risk. The attack vector is local, requiring low attack complexity and low privileges. Furthermore, it has significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making it critical for organizations to take this threat seriously. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential exploitation.
As of now, this vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it is actively being exploited in the wild. Organizations must ensure they apply all relevant updates as per vendor instructions to safeguard their systems.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential for exploitation, it is imperative for security teams to assess their environments for affected versions of Android and take appropriate action.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows local users to execute arbitrary code and gain root privileges due to the improper validation of messages from a PF_NETLINK socket. This is a classic case of a privilege escalation vulnerability, classified under CWE-190, which indicates an integer signedness issue. The vulnerability affects Android versions 2.0 through 2.3.4 and version 3.0.
Technical Analysis
Root cause analysis reveals that the vold volume manager daemon fails to adequately check the integrity of incoming messages. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have physical access or the ability to run code on the affected device. The complexity of this attack is low, requiring minimal effort to exploit. Privileges required to execute the attack are low, and no user interaction is necessary.
The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are significant, given that successful exploitation can lead to complete control over the affected device. This vulnerability poses a risk to organizations, particularly those relying on Android for critical operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and control over devices running affected versions of Android. The blast radius is broad, as this vulnerability can be exploited on any device running a vulnerable version of the operating system. Given its presence in the KEV catalog and the associated high CVSS score, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the Android operating system include versions 2.0 through 2.3.4 and version 3.0. Organizations should ensure that they are not running any of these vulnerable versions to mitigate risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions immediately. If a patch is not available, consider implementing additional network controls to restrict access to vulnerable devices. Regular monitoring for unauthorized access attempts is also recommended.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual activity related to the vold volume manager daemon. Behavioral anomalies indicating privilege escalation attempts should also be tracked.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2011-1823 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with inadequate validation mechanisms in local services. This vulnerability highlights the necessity for security teams to perform thorough code audits and implement robust validation checks. Organizations that prioritize proactive security measures, including regular penetration testing, can significantly reduce their exposure to similar vulnerabilities. For further insights on strengthening your security posture, consider exploring our penetration testing services and best practices.
For organizations relying on Android, understanding the implications of this vulnerability is crucial. It serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of threats and the importance of maintaining updated security practices. Regular engagement with threat intelligence sources can further empower organizations to anticipate and defend against emerging vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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