CVE-2017-0549 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote denial of service vulnerability in libavc in Mediaserver could enable an attacker to use a specially crafted file to cause a device hang or reboot. This issue is rated as High severity due to the possibility of remote denial of service. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1. Android ID: A-33818508.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0549 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the Android mediaserver component that specifically targets the libavc library responsible for handling video decoding operations. This issue manifests when the system processes specially crafted media files that exploit memory corruption patterns within the video codec processing pipeline, leading to system instability and potential device crashes. The vulnerability affects Android versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these operating system versions across various mobile devices and embedded systems. The flaw resides in how the libavc library handles malformed video streams during decoding operations, creating a scenario where an attacker can remotely trigger system-level failures through crafted media content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of video file structures that cause buffer overflows or memory corruption within the mediaserver process. When the system attempts to decode maliciously crafted video content, the libavc library fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to unpredictable behavior that can result in complete system hangs or forced reboots. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though the actual implementation involves heap corruption patterns typical of media processing libraries. The attack vector requires remote delivery of malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require local privileges or user interaction beyond the mere opening of the malicious file, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0549 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability and reliability of mobile devices in critical deployments. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could lead to widespread service interruptions affecting business operations, while in consumer contexts it could result in unexpected device failures during critical moments. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target users without physical access to devices, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where devices are used in sensitive locations or applications. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects its potential to cause complete system outages, which can result in data loss, service interruptions, and compromised device functionality. Organizations deploying affected Android versions must consider the broader implications for device management, user productivity, and overall system reliability when assessing the risk of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0549 focus primarily on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates that address the underlying memory handling issues in the libavc library. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security patches to affected Android versions, as the vulnerability affects multiple generations of the operating system. Network-level defenses can include implementing media file filtering mechanisms that scan for known malicious patterns in video content before allowing processing, though this approach has limitations due to the sophisticated nature of the exploit. System administrators should also consider implementing device management policies that restrict media file downloads from untrusted sources and monitor for unusual device behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in media processing libraries and the need for comprehensive input validation and memory management in system components that handle untrusted data. Organizations should also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts and implement appropriate incident response procedures for handling confirmed or suspected exploitation events.