CVE-2017-0405 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in Surfaceflinger could enable an attacker using a specially crafted file to cause memory corruption during media file and data processing. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution within the context of the Surfaceflinger process. Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-31960359.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0405 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Surfaceflinger component of Android operating systems version 7.0 and 7.1.1. Surfaceflinger serves as a crucial system service responsible for compositing graphics layers and managing display rendering operations across the Android framework. This component operates with elevated privileges and handles multimedia processing tasks that involve parsing and rendering various media file formats. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the media processing pipeline that Surfaceflinger employs when handling specially crafted media files. The flaw exists in how the system processes certain multimedia data structures, particularly those involving video or audio codecs that are processed through the Surfaceflinger service. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the memory layout of the Surfaceflinger process through carefully constructed media content that triggers buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and specifically aligns with CWE-125 which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction or device compromise, making it a severe threat to Android devices running the affected versions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0405 extends far beyond typical media processing failures, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the Surfaceflinger process. This process operates with system-level privileges and has direct access to graphics hardware and display subsystems, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The memory corruption that occurs during media file processing can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain persistent access to affected devices. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from the fact that it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected media files downloaded from untrusted sources. Once successfully exploited, the attacker could potentially install malware, access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors on the affected devices. The exploitation of this vulnerability can also lead to denial-of-service conditions that render devices unusable while simultaneously providing a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 which describes command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. The compromised Surfaceflinger process provides attackers with elevated privileges that can be leveraged to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted by Android's security model.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0405 require immediate patching of affected Android versions with the security updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations and individuals should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions that contain the patched Surfaceflinger implementation, specifically Android 7.1.2 and later versions which contain the necessary security fixes. Device manufacturers should expedite the release of security patches for their affected devices, as many users may not receive updates for older models. Network administrators should implement additional security controls including content filtering and sandboxing of media files to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability can also be mitigated through the implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious media file patterns or attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities in media processing components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual Surfaceflinger process behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Users should exercise extreme caution when downloading or opening media files from untrusted sources and should avoid visiting compromised websites that might deliver malicious content through browser-based media processing. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users might be exposed to malicious content through social engineering or drive-by download attacks. Regular security assessments should include verification of the patched status of Surfaceflinger components and monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts. The implementation of mobile device management solutions can help ensure that all devices within an organization are properly updated and protected against this vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation attempts more difficult and detectable.