CVE-2017-0538 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in libavc in Mediaserver could enable an attacker using a specially crafted file to cause memory corruption during media file and data processing. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution within the context of the Mediaserver process. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-33641588.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0538 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android Mediaserver component that specifically affects the libavc library responsible for handling video processing operations. This issue resides in the Android operating system's media framework where the Mediaserver process operates with elevated privileges, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise Android devices. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes specially crafted media files that trigger memory corruption during the decoding and rendering of video content, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution within the privileged Mediaserver context. The affected Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1 all share this common vulnerability due to their reliance on the same vulnerable libavc implementation that fails to properly validate input data during video processing operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the libavc library implementation, which fails to properly sanitize and verify the structure of video data during parsing operations. When the media processing subsystem encounters malformed or maliciously crafted video files, the parsing logic does not adequately check for buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions that could occur during the decompression and rendering phases. This flaw creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory regions within the Mediaserver process, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Mediaserver service. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to remote code execution in multimedia processing components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple media processing failures, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to gain unauthorized access to Android devices through remote exploitation. An attacker could potentially deliver a malicious video file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, without requiring any user interaction beyond the automatic processing of media content. The Mediaserver process typically runs with system-level privileges, meaning successful exploitation could result in complete device compromise, data theft, or the installation of persistent malware. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of code through media playback, and represents a significant threat to Android device security as it operates at a fundamental level within the system's media processing pipeline.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0538 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Google as part of their regular Android security updates, specifically addressing the libavc library implementation in the affected Android versions. Organizations and users should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions that contain the patched Mediaserver component, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until the underlying code is corrected. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level filtering to block suspicious media file types, disabling automatic media processing for unknown sources, and maintaining awareness of the specific attack vectors that could be used to deliver malicious payloads. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to media file processing anomalies and consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted media processing components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure media processing libraries and the need for comprehensive input validation in system components that handle untrusted data from external sources.