CVE-2017-11016 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-11016 was published on December 4, 2017, by Qualcomm, Inc. The vulnerability affects various Qualcomm products and all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel.

Understanding CVE-2017-11016

This CVE involves uncleared stale pointers left behind during the creation of a calibration block in specific Qualcomm products and Android releases.

What is CVE-2017-11016?

When memory allocation fails during the creation of a calibration block, uncleared stale pointers are left behind in the process, leading to a vulnerability in certain Qualcomm products and Android releases.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11016

This vulnerability, categorized as 'Use After Free in Audio,' can potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11016

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Uncleared stale pointers are left behind in the process of creating a calibration block when there is a failure in memory allocation, affecting specific Qualcomm products and Android releases.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android
Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Versions: All Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to trigger a Use After Free condition in the audio subsystem, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-11016, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Qualcomm or the respective vendors promptly.
Monitor vendor security bulletins for updates and advisories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities.
Regularly update and patch software to address known security issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches and security fixes.
Regularly check for updates from Qualcomm and other relevant vendors to stay protected.