CVE-2017-0641 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote denial of service vulnerability in libvpx 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-34360591.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0641 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the libvpx library component of Android's Mediaserver system. 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, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The libvpx library serves as a crucial component for video decoding and encoding operations, particularly handling vp8 and vp9 video formats that are extensively used in multimedia applications and web browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the video processing pipeline, specifically when handling malformed or specially crafted video files that exploit buffer overflows or memory corruption issues during the decoding process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious video file that, when processed by the Mediaserver component, triggers a sequence of memory corruption events that ultimately lead to system instability. The flaw manifests as a failure in proper bounds checking and memory management during video frame parsing, allowing attackers to manipulate the decoding process in ways that cause the system to either freeze or automatically reboot. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates at the system level through the Mediaserver service, which runs with elevated privileges and handles multimedia processing for various applications, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt device functionality without requiring local access or authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Android devices as it enables remote attackers to induce denial of service conditions through simple media file delivery, potentially via email attachments, messaging applications, or web content. The high severity rating reflects the ease of exploitation and the potential for widespread disruption across affected device populations. The attack surface is extensive given that video files are commonly shared through multiple channels and the Mediaserver service is integral to normal device operation. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks, and T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage in media processing contexts. Organizations and users face the risk of persistent device unavailability, which can be particularly problematic for mission-critical devices or those in industrial environments where continuous operation is essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0641 primarily focus on applying the appropriate Android security patches and updates that address the underlying memory management issues in the libvpx library. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of security updates from Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability affects multiple Android versions and requires coordinated patching across the entire software stack. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious media file attachments, particularly those from untrusted sources, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual patterns in media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device vendors should consider implementing additional input validation layers and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any custom implementations or modifications that might exacerbate the vulnerability's impact. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of opening media attachments from unknown sources and the importance of maintaining up-to-date device firmware to protect against known vulnerabilities.