CVE-2017-0389 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in core networking could enable a remote attacker to use specially crafted network packet to cause a device hang or reboot. This issue is rated as High due to the possibility of remote denial of service. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1. Android ID: A-31850211.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0389 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Android's core networking subsystem that can be exploited remotely through specially crafted network packets. This flaw affects Android versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these operating system versions across mobile devices globally. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where malformed packets can trigger unexpected behavior in the device's networking stack, potentially leading to complete system hang or forced reboot scenarios that render devices temporarily or permanently unusable. Such an attack vector directly impacts the availability and reliability of Android devices, creating significant operational risks for both individual users and enterprise environments where device uptime is critical.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Android networking core components that process incoming network traffic. When the system encounters malformed or specially crafted packets designed to exploit specific parsing logic within the network stack, the processing routines fail to handle these exceptional conditions gracefully. This failure manifests as system instability that can escalate to complete system crashes or reboots without proper error recovery mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as high severity reflects the remote exploitation capability, meaning attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to trigger the malicious behavior. The attack surface is broad since network traffic is fundamental to mobile device operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal network communication channels including Wi-Fi, cellular data, or Bluetooth connections.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0389 extends beyond simple device disruption to encompass potential business continuity issues for organizations relying on mobile device availability. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could lead to productivity losses, communication disruptions, and increased support costs as affected devices require troubleshooting and potential recovery procedures. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target devices without requiring physical proximity or user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for malicious actors seeking to disrupt services or create chaos. Organizations may experience cascading effects where multiple devices across a network simultaneously become unavailable, creating broader system-wide disruptions that can impact operations, customer service, and business processes. The vulnerability also presents challenges for security teams who must balance the need for immediate patch deployment with potential operational risks associated with device downtime during update processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of these patches across all affected Android versions to eliminate the exploitation risk. Network administrators can implement additional protective measures such as network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though this approach provides only partial protection since the vulnerability can be triggered through normal network operations. Device management solutions should be configured to enforce automatic update policies where possible, ensuring that all endpoints receive security patches in a timely manner. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper input validation, and represents a specific manifestation of the broader ATT&CK technique T1499.002 related to network denial of service attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive network security controls beyond traditional endpoint protection measures.