CVE-2017-0587 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in libmpeg2 in Mediaserver could enable an attacker using a specially crafted file to cause memory corruption during media file and data processing. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution within the context of the Mediaserver process. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-35219737.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0587 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the libmpeg2 library component of Android's Mediaserver process. This issue resides in the media processing subsystem that handles various multimedia file formats, specifically targeting MPEG2 decoding functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management during the processing of specially crafted media files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Mediaserver process. The affected Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2 all share this common vulnerability due to their inclusion of the vulnerable libmpeg2 library version.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption during media file processing, specifically when the Mediaserver attempts to decode MPEG2 streams. The flaw manifests as a buffer overflow or similar memory corruption issue that can be triggered by feeding maliciously constructed media files to the affected system. When the libmpeg2 library processes these crafted inputs, it fails to properly validate the data boundaries, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses, allowing an attacker to redirect code execution flow and ultimately achieve remote code execution within the privileged Mediaserver context. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains, aligning with CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow conditions and potentially CWE-787 for out-of-bounds write operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise Android devices remotely. Since the Mediaserver process typically runs with elevated privileges and has access to various system resources, successful exploitation can result in complete device takeover without requiring local user interaction. Attackers can deliver malicious media files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised media sharing services, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The critical rating reflects the potential for persistent system compromise, data theft, and further lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0587 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should immediately install the latest security patches for their Android devices, particularly focusing on the Android Security Bulletin from April 2017 which addressed this specific vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based controls to filter potentially malicious media files, though this approach provides only partial protection given the remote nature of the exploit. Additionally, users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and maintain updated antivirus solutions that can detect and block known malicious media file patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, emphasizing the need for robust software security engineering practices throughout the development lifecycle.