CVE-2017-0532 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the MediaTek video codec driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-32370398. References: M-ALPS03069985.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0532 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the MediaTek video codec driver component of Android operating systems. This weakness resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for handling multimedia processing, specifically targeting the video decoding functionality that is integral to mobile device multimedia operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the driver implementation, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized data access. The issue manifests when a local malicious application attempts to interact with the video codec driver, potentially enabling privilege escalation to access memory regions that should be restricted to system-level processes. This flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with hardware abstraction layers and driver components that fail to properly enforce access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where it can bypass traditional application sandboxing mechanisms that typically protect user data and system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first compromise a privileged process that has elevated access to the video codec driver interface. Once this initial compromise is achieved, the malicious application can leverage the information disclosure flaw to access memory regions containing sensitive data that extends beyond its normal permission boundaries. The attack vector typically involves crafting specific video codec commands or data streams that trigger the driver's memory corruption behavior, allowing the malicious process to read data from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-20, which covers improper input validation. The flaw demonstrates how kernel drivers can become attack surfaces when proper memory management and access control mechanisms are insufficiently implemented. The MediaTek video codec driver's design appears to lack adequate validation of input parameters and memory boundaries, creating opportunities for data leakage that could expose system credentials, user data, or other sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0532 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks that could lead to full system compromise. While the vulnerability requires initial access to a privileged process, once exploited, it provides an attacker with the ability to extract sensitive information from system memory, potentially including cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other critical data. This information could be used to facilitate further attacks, including credential theft, privilege escalation to root access, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects Android devices that utilize MediaTek chipsets and their associated video codec implementations, making it particularly relevant to a significant portion of the mobile device market. The issue is classified as moderate severity due to the requirement for an initial compromise, but the potential for escalation makes it a serious concern for mobile security. Organizations and users must consider the implications of this vulnerability in their security posture, particularly in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive information or operate in high-security contexts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper driver security implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel-level components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0532 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should implement security patches that address the specific memory management issues within the MediaTek video codec driver, ensuring proper bounds checking and input validation are enforced. Users should maintain up-to-date device firmware and security patches from their device manufacturers, as these updates typically contain fixes for known vulnerabilities. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and implement additional security controls such as application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, particularly in enterprise environments where sensitive data is at risk. Regular security assessments of kernel-level components and driver implementations should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.