CVE-2017-0423 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Bluetooth could enable a proximate attacker to manage access to documents on the device. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires exploitation of a separate vulnerability in the Bluetooth stack. Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-32612586.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0423 represents a significant security weakness within the Android Bluetooth implementation that could potentially allow unauthorized access to device documents. This issue specifically affects Android versions 5.0.2 through 7.1.1, indicating a broad impact across multiple generations of the mobile operating system. The vulnerability operates under the principle that a proximate attacker with physical access to a device could exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges and access to sensitive user data. The classification as Moderate severity reflects the requirement for additional exploitation prerequisites, suggesting that this vulnerability alone is insufficient to achieve complete system compromise without prior exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the Bluetooth stack.
The technical flaw manifests in how Bluetooth services handle access controls and privilege management when processing incoming connection requests or data transfers. This weakness creates an opportunity for an attacker to manipulate the Bluetooth subsystem to escalate their privileges beyond normal user boundaries. The vulnerability's impact extends to document access management, meaning that an attacker could potentially read, modify, or delete sensitive files stored on the device. This type of flaw typically involves improper input validation or privilege checking mechanisms within the Bluetooth service components that handle file access requests. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where the Bluetooth stack fails to properly enforce access controls that should prevent unauthorized data access.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for Android users who may be exposed to physical proximity attacks, particularly in environments where devices are left unattended or in public spaces. The requirement for a separate Bluetooth stack vulnerability to be exploited first means that attackers must first establish a foothold within the Bluetooth subsystem before being able to leverage this privilege escalation mechanism. This two-stage exploitation approach increases the complexity of the attack but also indicates a deeper architectural flaw within the Android Bluetooth implementation. The vulnerability affects all listed Android versions, suggesting that the underlying issue has persisted across multiple releases, highlighting potential design flaws in the Bluetooth access control mechanisms rather than isolated implementation errors.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple document access, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain broader system access or to establish persistent access to user data. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to access personal information, financial data, or corporate documents stored on the device. This flaw aligns with CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems, and represents a clear example of how Bluetooth protocol implementations can create security gaps that allow for unauthorized access to device resources. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or access tokens to gain elevated privileges within a system, though in this case the elevation occurs through Bluetooth protocol manipulation rather than credential theft.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android users should ensure their devices are updated to versions that contain the relevant security fixes for this Bluetooth vulnerability. Organizations should implement Bluetooth access controls and disable unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when devices are not actively in use. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure Bluetooth implementation practices, particularly around privilege management and access control enforcement. Security teams should consider implementing monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and should review their overall mobile device security policies to address the risks associated with proximity-based attacks. Regular security assessments of Bluetooth implementations and privilege management systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could create similar access control bypass opportunities.