CVE-2017-0412 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: 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-33039926.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0412 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Android's Framework APIs that specifically affects Android versions 7.0 and 7.1.1. This issue resides in the core operating system components that govern how applications interact with system resources and privileges, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their capabilities from standard application-level access to privileged system-level execution. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its potential to allow local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code within the context of privileged processes, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that separate user applications from system-critical functions.
The technical flaw manifests in how the Android Framework APIs handle permission checks and privilege escalation mechanisms, particularly within the system's inter-process communication and component management subsystems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious application that leverages the flawed API interactions to gain elevated privileges without proper authentication or authorization. This weakness allows the malicious application to execute code with the same privileges as system services or privileged components, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level or system service level where proper access controls fail to validate the privilege escalation attempts, creating an exploit path that bypasses Android's standard security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0412 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within privileged contexts, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Once exploited, the malicious application could access sensitive system data, modify system configurations, install additional malicious software, or disable security features. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to perform actions such as reading protected system files, modifying system binaries, or establishing persistent backdoors. The exploitability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the device, making it possible for attackers to compromise devices through social engineering, malicious app downloads, or other local attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0412 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the underlying API validation flaws in the Framework components. Organizations and users should immediately update their Android devices to versions that contain the necessary security fixes, typically Android 7.1.2 or later. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all devices are updated promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once the malicious application is installed. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation attempts, and conducting regular security audits of installed applications to identify potential malicious software that could exploit this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic, while CWE classification indicates a weakness in the system's access control mechanisms that allows unauthorized privilege escalation through flawed API implementations.