CVE-2017-0384 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in lvm/wrapper/Bundle/EffectBundle.cpp in libeffects in Audioserver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to gain local access to elevated capabilities, which are not normally accessible to a third-party application. Product: Android. Versions: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1. Android ID: A-32095626.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0384 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android audio subsystem, specifically affecting the libeffects library component that manages audio effects processing within the Audioserver daemon. This vulnerability exists in the Bundle/EffectBundle.cpp file where the privilege escalation occurs, allowing local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the privileged Audioserver process. The issue stems from improper input validation and handling within the audio effect bundle processing mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution that bypasses normal Android security boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests through a weakness in the audio effect bundle processing logic where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters passed to the effect bundle handler. This vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269, which specifically addresses inadequate privileges for critical resources. The flaw allows a malicious application with normal user privileges to manipulate the audio effect processing pipeline and inject malicious code that executes within the privileged context of the Audioserver, which typically runs with system-level permissions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate audio processing infrastructure to gain elevated access, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a direct pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges within the Android system. Once exploited, the malicious code can access system resources, modify critical system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1, indicating a widespread exposure across the Android ecosystem. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how attackers can leverage legitimate system components to gain elevated access. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects its potential for enabling complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the specific input validation issues within the audio effect bundle processing. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across affected Android versions. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring of audio effect processing activities and anomaly detection within the Audioserver process can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The Android security model should also enforce stricter privilege separation between user applications and system services, ensuring that even if one component is compromised, the attacker cannot easily escalate privileges to system-level access. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and code integrity checks to prevent unauthorized modifications to audio processing libraries.