CVE-2017-0603 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A 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 Moderate because it requires an uncommon device configuration. 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-35763994.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0603 resides within the libstagefright component of Android's Mediaserver service, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited through crafted media files. 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 nature of the flaw across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the media processing layer where the system parses and handles multimedia content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through common media file interactions such as email attachments, text messages with media, or downloaded content.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition within the stagefright media parser that fails to properly validate input data when processing specific media file formats. When an attacker crafts a malicious file with malformed headers or corrupted data structures, the parser encounters an unexpected condition that causes the Mediaserver process to crash or hang, resulting in a complete system freeze or forced reboot. This behavior stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices within the media parsing code, creating a scenario where legitimate media processing operations can be disrupted by malicious inputs. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the system attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable system behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0603 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise user device availability and system stability. In practical attack scenarios, an adversary could send a specially crafted media file via messaging applications, email attachments, or web downloads that would trigger the vulnerability when the device attempts to preview or process the content. This creates a significant risk for users who may unknowingly encounter malicious media content, particularly in environments where automatic media preview features are enabled. The moderate severity rating reflects the requirement for specific attack conditions, including the need for an attacker to have access to the target device and the ability to deliver a crafted media file, but the potential for widespread impact remains high due to the prevalence of media processing on Android devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within core system components that cannot be easily remediated through user-level configuration changes. Organizations should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious media files, particularly those with known vulnerable formats such as mp4, 3gp, and other multimedia containers that utilize the stagefright parser. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint protection measures that can detect and block suspicious media file processing behaviors, leveraging techniques aligned with ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in multimedia processing libraries that handle untrusted data from external sources. Device users must remain vigilant about downloading content from untrusted sources and should ensure their systems are regularly updated with security patches to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.