CVE-2017-0550 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-33933140.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0550 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the libavc component of Android's Mediaserver system. This issue resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing framework, specifically affecting versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed media files within the Advanced Video Coding (AVC) decoding pipeline, creating a condition where specially crafted video content can trigger system instability. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, suggesting that the vulnerability likely involves insufficient bounds checking during video frame processing operations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious media file that exploits memory access violations within the libavc library. When the Mediaserver processes this malformed content, the system encounters a buffer overflow or invalid memory access condition that results in a complete system crash or forced reboot. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges or user interaction, making it a true remote exploit capable of affecting any device running the vulnerable Android versions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through exploitation of software vulnerabilities in system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0550 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can render affected devices completely unusable until manual reboot occurs. This represents a significant risk for mobile devices in enterprise environments where device availability is critical for business operations. The vulnerability affects the core multimedia processing capabilities of Android devices, potentially impacting applications that rely on video playback functionality including messaging apps, web browsers, and media streaming services. The high severity rating reflects the ease of exploitation and the comprehensive system-level impact that occurs without requiring any specialized privileges or complex attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google as part of their regular security releases. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Android security updates that address this specific flaw in the libavc library, particularly for devices running the affected versions. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level filtering to prevent unauthorized media file downloads and establishing secure media processing policies for user-generated content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation in multimedia frameworks and serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations that must be addressed in media processing libraries to prevent similar remote exploitation scenarios.