CVE-2017-0541 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in sonivox 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: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-34031018.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0541 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the sonivox media processing component of Android's Mediaserver service. This vulnerability resides in the handling of specially crafted media files that trigger memory corruption during data processing operations. The flaw exists in Android versions ranging from 4.4.4 through 7.1.1, affecting a broad spectrum of mobile devices that rely on the Android operating system for multimedia processing capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its potential to allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the Mediaserver process, which operates with elevated system permissions and can access sensitive device resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory management within the sonivox library, which is responsible for processing various audio and multimedia formats. When a maliciously crafted media file is processed by the Mediaserver, the sonivox component fails to properly validate the file structure and data boundaries, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the media server handles certain audio codecs and data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to leverage heap-based memory corruption techniques that are commonly referenced in CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0541 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Since the Mediaserver process operates with system-level privileges, successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to device storage, network communication capabilities, and other sensitive system resources. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical device access or user interaction beyond triggering the processing of a malicious media file. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might encounter malicious media content through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing applications. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread use of Android across various device types and the frequent use of media processing capabilities in everyday applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0541 must address both immediate security concerns and long-term system hardening approaches. The primary recommended action involves applying the security patches released by Google as part of their Android security bulletins, which contain fixes specifically designed to address the memory corruption issues within the sonivox component. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure timely deployment of these updates across all affected Android devices. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level filtering to block suspicious media file types, employing sandboxing mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the compromised media processing pipeline. System administrators should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically apply security updates to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.