CVE-2017-0410 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Framework APIs 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: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-31929765.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0410 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Android's Framework APIs that fundamentally undermines the operating system's security model. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, making it a widespread concern across a significant portion of the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the framework components that govern how applications interact with system-level processes, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard application level to privileged system level execution.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient validation mechanisms within the Android Framework APIs that handle inter-process communications and system service interactions. When a malicious application attempts to invoke specific framework methods, the underlying security checks fail to properly verify the calling application's privileges, allowing unauthorized code execution within the context of privileged system processes. This weakness is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities, where the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks for accessing protected resources or executing privileged operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access and does not involve network-based attacks, making it particularly concerning for devices where physical access or pre-installed malicious applications are already present.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a direct pathway for local attackers to gain elevated capabilities that should normally be restricted to system-level components. Once exploited, the malicious application can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of system services, potentially enabling full device compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. This elevation of privilege allows attackers to bypass standard Android security boundaries, including the application sandboxing mechanisms that normally isolate third-party applications from critical system resources. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects its potential for enabling complete system compromise without requiring network connectivity or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0410 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations and users should prioritize applying the latest security updates from their device vendors, as these patches typically address the underlying access control flaws in the Framework APIs. System administrators should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for any unauthorized applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions to detect suspicious system-level activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, where adversaries leverage system-level weaknesses to maintain long-term access to compromised devices, making it essential for security teams to monitor for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized system process execution and privilege elevation activities.