CVE-2017-0401 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in lvm/wrapper/Bundle/EffectBundle.cpp in libeffects in the Qualcomm audio post processor could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it could be used to access sensitive data without permission. Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1. Android ID: A-32588016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0401 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Qualcomm audio post processing framework, specifically affecting Android devices running versions 5.0.2 through 7.1. This issue resides in the libeffects library's Bundle/EffectBundle.cpp implementation, which serves as a crucial component in the Android audio processing pipeline. The vulnerability stems from improper boundary checking and memory access controls within the effect bundle handling mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal permission boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overread condition in the audio effect processing subsystem. When a malicious application attempts to manipulate audio effects through the Qualcomm audio post processor, the flawed implementation fails to properly validate input parameters and memory boundaries. This allows the application to read memory locations that should be restricted, potentially exposing sensitive data such as kernel memory contents, other applications' memory segments, or confidential system information. The flaw operates at the system level within the audio processing framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any locally installed application without requiring additional privileges or root access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for Android devices, as it enables a local attacker to access data that should remain protected by the operating system's security model. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised data could include cryptographic keys, user credentials, application data, or system configuration details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as Moderate severity reflects the fact that while it requires local execution, it can provide access to sensitive data without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning for devices where local malware might be present. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be exploited to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks.
The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1005, which involves data from local system repositories. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Qualcomm and Android, enabling security features such as SELinux policies that restrict audio effect processing, and monitoring for suspicious audio processing behavior. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting for audio processing components and ensuring that devices are updated regularly to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires coordinated updates from both Qualcomm's firmware and Android's security patches, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations across the entire device ecosystem.