CVE-2017-0602 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in Bluetooth could allow a local malicious application to bypass operating system protections that isolate application data from other applications. This issue is rated as Moderate due to details specific to the vulnerability. 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-34946955.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0602 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Android Bluetooth implementation that undermines fundamental security isolation principles. This 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, demonstrating the widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically targets the Bluetooth subsystem's handling of application data, creating a pathway for malicious applications to bypass critical operating system protections that are designed to maintain strict separation between different applications' data environments. This weakness operates at the kernel level where Bluetooth services interact with the core operating system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by locally installed applications without requiring remote access or special privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the Bluetooth stack implementation where certain memory regions or data structures containing application-specific information are not adequately protected from unauthorized access. When a malicious application attempts to access Bluetooth services, the vulnerability allows it to read or manipulate data that should normally be restricted to specific applications or system processes. This bypass occurs due to insufficient validation of access permissions and inadequate sandboxing controls within the Bluetooth subsystem, creating a direct information leakage channel. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector since it requires only local application execution but results in system-level information disclosure that can reveal sensitive data from other applications. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper information exposure vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in operating system design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive application data, credentials, or personal information stored by other applications on the device. An attacker could potentially extract communication logs, user preferences, or even authentication tokens that would normally be protected by Android's application isolation mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as Moderate severity indicates that while it does not provide complete system compromise, it represents a serious threat to application privacy and data protection. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Android devices may handle sensitive corporate data, as it could allow unauthorized access to business-critical information. The attack surface is broad since Bluetooth is enabled by default on most Android devices and is frequently used for various applications, making exploitation relatively straightforward for malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0602 focus primarily on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the underlying Bluetooth access control issues through improved permission validation and enhanced memory protection mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all affected Android devices receive immediate updates, particularly in environments where device security is paramount. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can access Bluetooth services, enabling Bluetooth only when necessary, and monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce stricter security policies and provide real-time monitoring of Bluetooth-related activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of core system components like Bluetooth stacks that are integral to device functionality. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local system vulnerabilities.