CVE-2017-0645 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Bluetooth could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it is a local bypass of user interaction requirements. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-35385327.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0645 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android Bluetooth subsystem that allows local malicious applications to bypass normal permission controls and access restricted data. This security weakness resides in the Android operating system's Bluetooth implementation and affects multiple versions including Android 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability is classified as Moderate severity due to its requirement for local execution but its potential to bypass user interaction requirements, which significantly reduces the attack surface complexity.
The technical flaw manifests in how the Bluetooth system handles permission checks and access controls for local applications. When a malicious application attempts to access Bluetooth-related data or services, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting application has adequate permissions to perform the requested operations. This bypass occurs at the kernel level where Bluetooth subsystem components interact with the Android permission model, allowing unauthorized data access through legitimate Bluetooth interfaces. The vulnerability specifically exploits a weakness in the Bluetooth service's privilege validation mechanisms, enabling an attacker to escalate their privileges without requiring additional user consent or interaction.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for Android devices as it allows malicious applications to access sensitive Bluetooth-related data that should normally be restricted to system-level applications or applications with specific permissions. The local nature of the exploit means that an attacker does not need network access or complex social engineering tactics to exploit this vulnerability, as it can be triggered simply by installing a malicious application on the device. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install compromised applications, potentially leading to unauthorized access to personal data, device configuration information, or other sensitive resources that the Bluetooth subsystem manages.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain elevated access. Security researchers have noted that this flaw represents a significant weakness in Android's security model, as it allows for privilege escalation through a commonly used system service. The impact extends beyond simple data access, as Bluetooth services often handle sensitive information including device pairing data, connection history, and potentially personal identification information that could be leveraged for further attacks. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where Android devices handle sensitive corporate or personal data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0645 include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google for affected Android versions, implementation of application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted Bluetooth-related applications, and enhanced monitoring of Bluetooth service activities for suspicious behavior patterns. Device administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application sandboxing and privilege separation mechanisms. Regular security audits of Bluetooth configurations and access controls should be conducted to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed. Users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain current security patches on their devices to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.