CVE-2017-0647 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in libziparchive could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it could be used to access sensitive data without permission. Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-36392138.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0647 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the libziparchive library component of Android operating systems. This issue affects multiple versions including Android 5.0.2 through 7.1.2, creating a significant security concern for devices running these software versions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of zip file extraction operations that allows unauthorized access to data beyond the application's intended permission boundaries. The Android ID A-36392138 specifically identifies this flaw within the Android security framework, highlighting its classification as a moderate severity issue that could be exploited by malicious local applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the zip archive processing functionality where the libziparchive library fails to properly validate file paths during extraction operations. When an application processes zip files, the library does not adequately sanitize the file paths contained within the archive, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious zip files that can traverse directory structures outside the intended extraction location. This behavior creates a path traversal condition that enables access to sensitive system files or data that should normally be restricted to the application's sandboxed environment. The flaw operates at the file system level where the zip extraction process does not properly enforce permission boundaries, making it possible for a local malicious application to read files that it would not normally have access to.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0647 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's application sandboxing mechanism. A malicious application could potentially access system configuration files, user data, or other sensitive information stored outside of its designated permission scope. This vulnerability could be exploited to gather credentials, access private user data, or even extract system-level information that could be used for further exploitation. The local nature of this vulnerability means that it does not require network access or external attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any application with sufficient privileges to install and run code on the device. The moderate severity rating reflects the potential for accessing sensitive data without proper authorization, though the actual impact depends on the specific permissions and data accessible to the malicious application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0647 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android users and administrators should prioritize updating to versions that include the patched libziparchive library, with the most effective solution being the installation of Android security patches released after the vulnerability disclosure. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and ensure that applications have the minimum necessary permissions to reduce the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-200 Information Exposure categories, and its exploitation could potentially enable techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1005 Data from Local System. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and file integrity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability operates within the legitimate application execution flow and may be difficult to distinguish from normal system behavior without proper monitoring.