CVE-2024-56191
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is an integer overflow in the Wi-Fi driver of Android devices that allows local privilege escalation without user interaction. Attackers with local access can exploit this to gain elevated system privileges. This affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel Watch models.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Pixel Watch
- Android devices with affected Wi-Fi driver
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains full root/system privileges on the device, enabling complete control, data theft, persistence installation, and further network attacks.
Likely Case
Local attacker escalates privileges to install malicious apps, access sensitive data, or disable security controls on the device.
If Mitigated
With proper patching and security controls, the vulnerability is eliminated; without patching, isolation and monitoring can detect exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of memory layout; no authentication needed once local access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: March 2025 Android security patch or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/pixel-watch/2025/2025-03-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in device settings. 2. Install March 2025 Android security patch. 3. Verify patch installation via security patch level in settings.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Wi-Fi scanning features
AndroidDisable background Wi-Fi scanning to reduce attack surface
adb shell settings put global wifi_scan_always_enabled 0
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical access to devices and implement strict app installation policies
- Monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts using security monitoring tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch levelCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows March 2025 or later date📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Wi-Fi driver crash logs
- Unexpected privilege escalation in audit logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual Wi-Fi scanning patterns from device
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND ("dhd_pno" OR "gscan" OR "kernel panic")