CVE-2017-11056 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android, and all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel are susceptible to a vulnerability that could lead to a page fault when performing sha and cipher operations.

Understanding CVE-2017-11056

This CVE involves a risk of encountering a page fault due to the direct access of a userspace buffer in kernel space during sha and cipher operations.

What is CVE-2017-11056?

CVE-2017-11056 affects various Android platforms utilizing the Linux kernel, potentially allowing an attacker to trigger a page fault by accessing a userspace buffer directly in kernel space.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11056

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11056

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the direct access of a userspace buffer in kernel space during sha and cipher operations, leading to a page fault.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android for MSM
Firefox OS for MSM
QRD Android
All Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the sha and cipher operations, an attacker could exploit the direct access of a userspace buffer in kernel space to trigger a page fault.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-11056 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant security patches provided by the vendor
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential damage

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the vulnerability.