CVE-2017-0685 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android media framework. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-34203195.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0685 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media framework affecting multiple versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2. This issue resides in the system's media processing capabilities and specifically impacts how the framework handles certain media files, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability was assigned Android ID A-34203195 and demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing media handling components within mobile operating systems where improper input validation can lead to system instability.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted media files that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption within the media framework's processing routines. The flaw manifests when the system attempts to parse or decode specific media content that contains malformed data structures or excessive parameters that exceed the framework's expected processing limits. This particular vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, indicating that the media framework fails to properly validate input data before processing, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that media files are commonly encountered through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0685 extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass broader service disruption across multiple Android versions, making it a significant concern for device manufacturers and end users. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the media framework to become unresponsive or crash entirely, affecting audio and video playback capabilities, multimedia applications, and potentially interfering with system stability. The vulnerability's presence in such widely deployed Android versions means that a substantial portion of the mobile device ecosystem remains at risk, particularly as many devices continue to operate on these older platforms without timely security updates. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that can be exploited through the ATT&CK technique of process injection or command execution within the media processing context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through security updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the relevant security patches that address the buffer overflow conditions in the media framework, particularly focusing on the specific memory handling routines that process media files. Device administrators should implement network-based controls to prevent the ingestion of untrusted media content and consider deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect and block suspicious media file patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading media content from untrusted sources and should ensure their devices receive regular security updates. The remediation process should also include monitoring for system instability indicators and implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes across enterprise device fleets.