CVE-2017-0596 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability 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. Android ID: A-34749392.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0596 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright library component that operates within the Mediaserver process. This issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media parsing functionality, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to exploit a privilege escalation vulnerability. The flaw exists in the way the system processes media files, particularly those containing crafted malicious payloads that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions within the privileged Mediaserver context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows a locally installed application to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the system's media server process, which typically operates with high-level system permissions and access to sensitive functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of media file parsing routines within libstagefright, where insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices create opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory regions. When the Mediaserver processes maliciously crafted media files, the improper handling of data structures leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the privileged process context. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur during memory allocation and deallocation processes. The attack vector requires local execution privileges since the exploit targets a component that operates within the Android system's privileged context, making it particularly dangerous for applications that can manipulate media files on the device.
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 and applications. The compromised Mediaserver process has access to sensitive system resources, including the ability to modify system files, access protected data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms within the Android environment. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, and 7.1.1, indicating a widespread exposure across the Android platform that could be exploited by malicious applications already installed on affected devices. The high severity rating reflects the potential for this vulnerability to be weaponized for advanced persistent threats, where attackers could use the elevated privileges to perform reconnaissance, establish backdoors, or escalate further to compromise the entire device. This type of vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and demonstrates how local privilege escalation can be achieved through memory corruption vulnerabilities in system services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0596 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific memory handling issues within libstagefright and the Mediaserver component. System administrators and device users should prioritize immediate installation of the Android security updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open until the patch is applied. Additional defensive measures include implementing application sandboxing policies that restrict media file processing capabilities, monitoring for unusual behavior in the Mediaserver process, and conducting regular security assessments of installed applications that may interact with media processing functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically deploy security patches to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the patch deployment strategy to ensure that the system remains stable while addressing the privilege escalation risk, as the Mediaserver component is critical to Android's media processing functionality and any disruption could impact normal device operation.