CVE-2017-0446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android HTC Touchscreen Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2017-0446

What is CVE-2017-0446?

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the HTC touchscreen driver allows a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context on Android devices using Kernel-3.18.

The Impact of CVE-2017-0446

This vulnerability is rated as high severity as it requires compromising a privileged process first, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-0446

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability Type: Elevation of privilege
Vulnerability ID: A-32917445
Affected Product: Android
Affected Version: Kernel-3.18

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Android devices utilizing Kernel-3.18.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a local malicious application to run arbitrary code within the kernel, leading to unauthorized access and control.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Google for Android devices using Kernel-3.18.
Regularly update the device's operating system to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict application permission controls to prevent unauthorized access.
Regularly monitor and audit system activities for any suspicious behavior.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Google for Android devices to address security vulnerabilities promptly.