CVE-2017-0594 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in codecs/aacenc/SoftAACEncoder2.cpp in libstagefright in Mediaserver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to gain local access to elevated capabilities, which are not normally accessible to a third-party application. Product: Android. Versions: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-34617444.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0594 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright library that handles multimedia codecs. This issue resides in the SoftAACEncoder2.cpp file within the codecs/aacenc directory, making it a core component of the Android media server's audio encoding capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that typically protect system-level operations.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the AAC audio encoder implementation. When processing malformed audio data, the system fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocations, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical process memory structures. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflows. The exploitation occurs through the mediaserver process, which runs with elevated privileges and system-level access, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with access to system-level capabilities that are normally restricted to legitimate system processes. Once exploited, the malicious application can perform actions such as reading or modifying sensitive system files, accessing protected memory regions, and potentially establishing persistent backdoors within the device. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, indicating it was a widespread issue across the Android platform. The high severity rating reflects the potential for complete system compromise, as demonstrated by various attack vectors that leverage similar buffer overflow conditions in media processing components.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it a prime target for targeted attacks or supply chain compromises. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in Android media processing vulnerabilities, where improper validation of media files can lead to arbitrary code execution in privileged contexts. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment through Android security updates, implementation of runtime protections such as address space layout randomization, and application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their Android device management policies and implement network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in media processing libraries and highlights the critical need for regular security audits of system-level components that handle untrusted input data.