CVE-2017-0600 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote denial of service vulnerability in libstagefright 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: 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-35269635.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0600 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the libstagefright component of Android's Mediaserver system. This vulnerability resides in the multimedia processing framework that handles various media file formats and protocols, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt device functionality. The issue 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 a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from its remote exploitation potential, allowing attackers to trigger device instability without requiring physical access or local privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of specially crafted media files within the Stagefright framework, which is responsible for processing multimedia content in Android devices. When a maliciously formatted file is processed by the vulnerable Mediaserver component, it triggers a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition that leads to system instability. This occurs during the parsing of media headers or metadata, where the system fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the Android framework, specifically targeting the media processing pipeline that handles various codecs and file formats. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur during media file processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0600 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise device availability and user experience across affected Android platforms. An attacker can remotely trigger device hang conditions or forced reboots simply by delivering a malicious media file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or instant messaging applications. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through common attack channels without requiring specialized tools or network privileges. The remote nature of the exploit means that devices can be compromised from anywhere in the world, making it a significant threat to mobile device security. The vulnerability affects all Android versions mentioned, creating a substantial attack surface that includes millions of devices worldwide. This aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1489, which describes creating or using malicious code to deny service to systems or devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0600 require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates from device manufacturers and Google. Organizations should implement network-level controls to filter potentially malicious media content, particularly when dealing with email attachments or web downloads. Device users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and ensure their devices receive timely security updates. Network administrators should consider implementing sandboxing measures for media processing applications and monitor for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia frameworks and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when input validation is inadequate. Device manufacturers should prioritize rapid response to such vulnerabilities and maintain robust security update distribution channels to protect their user base from similar threats.