CVE-2017-0416 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Audioserver 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: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-32886609.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0416 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android Audioserver component that fundamentally undermines the operating system's security model. This issue resides in the audio subsystem's privileged processes, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code with elevated permissions typically restricted to system-level components. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The severity classification as High reflects the potential for adversaries to exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to elevated capabilities that should remain protected from third-party applications, effectively breaking the fundamental security boundaries that separate user-space applications from privileged system services.
The technical flaw manifests in how the Audioserver handles certain input validation or privilege checks within its processing pipeline, allowing a local attacker to craft malicious payloads that can be executed within the context of the privileged audio service. This typically involves exploitation of buffer overflows, improper input sanitization, or race conditions that occur when the audio server processes data from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the device since it operates within the confines of the local privilege model, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might be tricked into installing malicious applications or where applications with legitimate access are compromised. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically focusing on the improper handling of privilege escalation mechanisms within system services.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0416 extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to bypass core Android security mechanisms including the application sandbox and permission model. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can access sensitive system resources, modify audio configurations, potentially access other system services, and establish persistent access to the device. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain elevated system access. The implications are particularly severe given that the audio subsystem often has extensive access to hardware components and system resources, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish footholds within the device. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Android versions suggests that attackers could target a wide range of devices, from older smartphones to newer models, depending on the specific security configurations and patch status of individual devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0416 primarily focus on timely patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android security updates released by Google addressed this vulnerability through modifications to the Audioserver's privilege handling and input validation mechanisms. Organizations and device users should prioritize applying the relevant security patches as soon as they become available, particularly given the high severity classification. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for anomalous audio service behavior, and maintaining awareness of potential exploitation attempts through system logs and security monitoring tools. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of system services, particularly those with elevated privileges and broad system access. Network administrators should consider implementing device monitoring solutions that can detect unusual privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized access patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.