CVE-2017-0425 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in Audioserver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it could be used to access sensitive data without permission. 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-32720785.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0425 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Android's audioserver component, which operates as a system-level service responsible for managing audio functionality across the device. This weakness stems from inadequate permission controls and access restrictions within the audio subsystem, allowing unauthorized local applications to potentially bypass normal security boundaries and access data that should remain restricted to privileged system processes. The vulnerability specifically 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 long-standing issue that persisted across several major releases of the Android operating system. The audioserver service typically handles audio routing, mixing, and playback operations while maintaining strict security boundaries to prevent unauthorized access to audio streams, configuration data, and system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the audioserver processes and validates access requests from local applications, particularly those attempting to interact with audio resources or system configuration parameters that should be protected from unauthorized access. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the improper permission checking mechanisms within the audio subsystem to access sensitive information that normally requires elevated privileges or specific system-level permissions. The vulnerability operates at the kernel or low-level system service level where audio processing occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially expose audio configuration files, system audio parameters, or even sensitive data that flows through the audio processing pipeline. This flaw essentially creates a pathway for privilege escalation or data exfiltration that could compromise user privacy and system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0425 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model for audio-related services. Local malicious applications can potentially access audio-related system data that may include configuration parameters, audio stream metadata, or even sensitive information processed through the audio pipeline that could reveal user activities or device characteristics. The moderate severity rating reflects the fact that while the vulnerability requires local access and cannot be exploited remotely, it provides attackers with a means to access sensitive data that could be valuable for further attacks or privacy violations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic case of insufficient access control within a system service. The issue demonstrates how audio subsystems can become attack vectors for broader security compromises, particularly when proper isolation and permission validation mechanisms are not properly implemented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the flaw exists in core system services that cannot be effectively addressed through application-level security measures alone. Users should ensure their devices receive the necessary security patches, particularly those addressing the Android ID A-32720785, which specifically targets this audioserver vulnerability. System administrators and security professionals should monitor for any unauthorized applications that might attempt to exploit this weakness, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing for system services, especially those handling sensitive data flows, and demonstrates how weaknesses in one subsystem can potentially impact overall system security. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual audio service access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing additional application sandboxing measures to limit the potential impact of compromised applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for all system components, particularly those handling sensitive data flows or system-level operations that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks.