CVE-2017-0552 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-34097915.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0552 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the Android Mediaserver component, specifically affecting the libavc library responsible for handling video decoding operations. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted media files can trigger unexpected behavior in the system's multimedia framework. The vulnerability impacts multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, indicating a widespread exposure across the Android ecosystem during that period.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of video codec data structures within the libavc library, which processes advanced video coding content. When the Mediaserver component attempts to decode a maliciously constructed video file, the flawed input handling causes the system to enter an unrecoverable state, resulting in device hang or complete system reboot. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and demonstrates how insufficient bounds checking in multimedia processing can lead to system instability. The vulnerability's remote nature means that an attacker can potentially trigger the denial of service condition without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might encounter malicious media content through email attachments, web browsing, or file sharing applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0552 extends beyond simple system disruption, as it can be leveraged to create persistent availability issues for affected devices. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt critical communication systems or disable mobile devices used for business operations. The high severity rating reflects the potential for widespread disruption across Android devices, particularly given the prevalence of media consumption on these platforms. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how media processing components can serve as attack vectors for system-level compromises.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the libavc library, along with timely security updates from device manufacturers. The Android security team addressed this issue through patches that enhanced the media framework's robustness against malformed input data, requiring proper error handling and resource management during video decoding operations. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security patches and consider implementing network-level controls to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious media content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing platforms, making comprehensive security awareness training essential for preventing exploitation.