CVE-2017-0486 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in Mediaserver could enable an attacker to use a specially crafted file to cause a device hang or reboot. This issue is rated as High severity due to the possibility of remote denial of service. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-33621215.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0486 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android mediaserver component that affects multiple versions including Android 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1. This issue resides in the system's media processing capabilities and specifically targets the mediaserver daemon responsible for handling multimedia file operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to craft malicious media files designed to trigger system instability. The flaw operates at the system level where legitimate media processing operations can be disrupted through specially crafted payloads that exploit memory handling inconsistencies in the underlying media framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the mediaserver processes malformed media files containing crafted metadata or media streams. When the system attempts to parse these malicious inputs, the processing logic fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory allocations, leading to memory corruption that results in system hang or unexpected reboot conditions. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the software security community. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely through various media delivery channels including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, making it accessible to adversaries without requiring physical device access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0486 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting mobile device users. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects the ease with which attackers can trigger system instability across a wide range of Android devices, effectively creating a scalable denial of service condition that could impact thousands of users simultaneously. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which describes network denial of service attacks, and represents a critical weakness in the Android platform's security posture that could be exploited to create widespread disruption. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require advanced technical skills or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be weaponized by threat actors with minimal expertise in mobile security exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0486 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability was addressed through Android security updates released in 2017. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary security fixes, particularly as the vulnerability affects multiple major Android versions that were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing media file scanning and validation mechanisms at network perimeters, deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies, and establishing user awareness programs regarding the dangers of downloading and opening untrusted media files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in mobile operating system development, serving as a reminder of the critical need for robust security controls in multimedia processing components that handle untrusted input data from diverse sources.