CVE-2017-0522 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in a MediaTek APK could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. This issue is rated as High due to the possibility of local arbitrary code execution in a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-32916158. References: M-ALPS03032516.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0522 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within MediaTek Android implementations that directly undermines system security boundaries. This vulnerability resides in the MediaTek APK component, which serves as a foundational element for Android device functionality and hardware integration. The flaw allows a locally installed malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute code within the context of privileged system processes, effectively bypassing standard security mechanisms that normally protect sensitive system components from unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation and access control mechanisms within the MediaTek implementation. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this weakness, it can leverage the flawed APK handling to gain elevated privileges that should normally be restricted to system-level processes only. This creates a scenario where user-space applications can manipulate or execute code with the same permissions as critical system services, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level of Android's security architecture, specifically targeting the trust relationships between different process contexts and privilege levels.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to device security as it allows attackers to achieve persistent system-level access without requiring external exploitation vectors. Once exploited, the malicious application can perform actions such as modifying system files, installing additional malware, accessing sensitive user data, or even disabling security features. The high severity rating reflects the potential for complete system compromise and the fact that exploitation requires only local access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where devices may be physically compromised or where users unknowingly install malicious applications. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android operating system's core security model and can undermine the integrity of the entire device ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0522 focus primarily on system updates and firmware patches provided by device manufacturers. Organizations should ensure all MediaTek-based Android devices receive timely security updates from their respective vendors, as this vulnerability requires specific patches to the MediaTek APK implementation. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized application installations and unusual privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploitation of privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Device administrators should implement strict application deployment policies and regularly audit installed applications to minimize exposure to this class of vulnerability. Given that this affects the Android ID A-32916158, security teams must coordinate with manufacturers to ensure proper patch management and device security updates are deployed across affected hardware platforms.