CVE-2017-0546 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in SurfaceFlinger could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to gain local access to elevated capabilities, which are not normally accessible to a third-party application. 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-32628763.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0546 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Android's SurfaceFlinger component, which serves as the system service responsible for compositing surfaces from different applications and managing the display subsystem. This vulnerability exists in multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The issue is classified as High severity due to its potential to allow a locally running malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute code within the privileged context of system-level processes. SurfaceFlinger operates with elevated privileges to manage graphics rendering and display operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to system-level capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within SurfaceFlinger's handling of graphics operations and buffer management. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious graphics commands or manipulating buffer structures that are processed by SurfaceFlinger, potentially leading to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution within the privileged context of the graphics compositor. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory management where insufficient bounds checking allows for buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal application sandboxing mechanisms that typically prevent third-party applications from accessing system-level resources or executing privileged operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0546 is significant as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate their privileges from a standard application context to a system-level privileged context. Once exploited, the malicious application could gain access to sensitive system resources, modify system files, read protected data, or even install persistent backdoors. This capability fundamentally undermines the Android security model's principle of least privilege, allowing local applications to perform actions that should be restricted to system components. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile devices where users may install untrusted applications, creating a vector for attackers to compromise devices through seemingly legitimate apps that can later be used to escalate privileges and gain complete system control.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as this issue was addressed through Android security updates released in 2017. System administrators and device users should prioritize applying these patches promptly to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing application sandboxing controls, monitoring for unusual graphics processing activities, and deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns indicative of privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," emphasizing how attackers can leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges and persist within compromised systems.