CVE-2017-0559 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in libskia could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it could be used to access data without permission. 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-33897722.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0559 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the libskia graphics library component of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the Skia graphics engine that serves as the foundation for Android's 2D graphics rendering capabilities across various versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1. The vulnerability stems from improper memory access controls within the library's handling of graphics data structures, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure. The Android ID A-33897722 specifically tracks this vulnerability within Google's internal tracking system, highlighting its significance in the Android security ecosystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking and memory management within libskia's image processing routines. When applications process certain graphics formats or perform specific rendering operations, the library fails to properly validate memory boundaries, allowing a local malicious application to potentially read data from adjacent memory regions that should be restricted. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the graphics subsystem, leveraging the trust relationship between the graphics library and applications that utilize it. The vulnerability manifests when the Skia library processes malformed or specially crafted image data that triggers improper memory access patterns, potentially exposing sensitive information from other memory locations within the same process or even adjacent processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to Android device security as it enables local privilege escalation through information disclosure. A malicious application with minimal permissions could exploit this flaw to access data that normally would be restricted, including potentially sensitive information from other applications, system memory, or even cryptographic keys used for device encryption. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it could facilitate further attacks such as credential theft, application bypass, or complete device compromise. The vulnerability's classification as Moderate severity reflects the specific conditions required for exploitation, but the potential consequences remain severe given that local applications already have some level of access to system resources. This aligns with CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more serious security breaches.
The exploitation of CVE-2017-0559 typically requires a local application to have some form of code execution capability within the target Android environment, often achieved through social engineering attacks or pre-existing vulnerabilities in other system components. Attackers could leverage this flaw in conjunction with other techniques to build more sophisticated attack chains, potentially moving from information disclosure to privilege escalation or even full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the entire Android ecosystem across multiple versions, making it particularly concerning for device manufacturers and security professionals who must address it across various device generations. Mitigation strategies include updating to patched versions of Android where available, implementing proper memory access controls within applications, and monitoring for suspicious graphics processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for process injection and T1003.002 for credential dumping, as the information disclosure could enable attackers to gather sensitive credentials or encryption keys from memory. Device security teams should implement proactive monitoring for unusual graphics processing patterns and ensure timely application of security patches to prevent exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.