CVE-2017-0669 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android framework. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-34114752.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
This information disclosure vulnerability exists within the Android framework affecting versions 6.0 through 7.1.2, specifically related to how the system handles certain system-level information. The flaw allows unauthorized access to sensitive data that should remain protected within the operating system's security boundaries. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 which represents "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental breakdown in the system's information protection mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the Android framework fails to properly restrict access to internal system information, potentially exposing device identifiers, configuration details, or other sensitive metadata to malicious applications or processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper access control mechanisms within the Android framework's security model. When applications attempt to access certain system resources or metadata, the framework does not adequately validate the requesting application's permissions or security context. This allows malicious actors to extract information that should only be accessible to system-level components or authorized applications. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Android ID A-34114752 and represents a critical weakness in the system's capability to maintain data confidentiality and integrity. Attackers can exploit this flaw through malicious applications that attempt to query system information or through privilege escalation techniques that leverage the improper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed data can be used for device fingerprinting, tracking, and potentially more sophisticated attacks. The leaked information may include device identifiers, system configuration parameters, or other metadata that can be correlated with user behavior patterns or device-specific characteristics. This vulnerability creates opportunities for adversaries to perform targeted attacks, conduct surveillance operations, or develop more effective malware that can evade detection mechanisms. The exposure of system-level information can also facilitate further exploitation attempts, as attackers can use the disclosed data to tailor their attacks to specific device configurations or Android versions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1082 "System Information Discovery" and T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage the information to craft more effective attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates from Google. Organizations should implement robust application vetting processes to prevent installation of potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual information disclosure patterns or attempts to access restricted system resources. System administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and privilege management policies to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The Android security model should be reviewed to ensure proper enforcement of information access controls and to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure weaknesses within their Android-based systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify additional areas where information exposure might occur, ensuring that the overall security posture remains strong against evolving threats.