CVE-2017-0599 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote denial of service vulnerability in libhevc 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, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-34672748.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0599 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the libhevc library component of Android's Mediaserver subsystem. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) decoding library, which processes video content for media playback. When a specially crafted HEVC file is processed by the vulnerable system, the decoding routine fails to properly handle malformed or maliciously constructed video data, leading to system instability.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of edge cases during HEVC frame decoding operations within the libhevc library. Specifically, the vulnerability occurs when the media server attempts to parse and decode malformed HEVC bitstreams that contain unexpected values or structures in their headers or payload data. This processing error causes the system to enter an unrecoverable state where the mediaserver process becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely. The flaw is categorized as a buffer over-read condition in the context of CWE-129, where the library attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability's remote nature means that an attacker can trigger this condition without physical access to the device, simply by delivering a malicious HEVC file through various attack vectors such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption to potentially enable more sophisticated attack scenarios. When the mediaserver crashes or becomes unresponsive, it affects the entire device's multimedia functionality, causing users to experience complete system hangs or unexpected reboots. This behavior creates a reliable denial of service condition that can be exploited to disrupt device availability, particularly in environments where device reliability is critical. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects the ease with which remote exploitation can be achieved and the significant disruption it causes to normal device operation. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which describes denial of service attacks that cause system instability and unavailability. The attack surface is particularly concerning because HEVC files are commonly encountered in multimedia applications, making this vulnerability easily exploitable through standard user interactions with media content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0599 focus on both immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Google addressed this vulnerability through Android security patches released in 2017, which included enhanced input validation and bounds checking within the libhevc library. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate installation of the relevant security updates to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing content filtering mechanisms that scan and validate media files before processing can provide defense-in-depth protection. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and email security appliances should be configured to block suspicious media file attachments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with security best practices outlined in CWE categories related to input validation and buffer management. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual mediaserver behavior or process crashes as potential indicators of exploitation attempts.