CVE-2017-0687 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android media framework (libavc). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-35583675.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0687 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libavc component responsible for handling advanced video coding operations. This issue manifests in Android versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it a widespread concern across multiple Android releases. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the media framework's video decoding pipeline, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted video content can trigger unexpected behavior in the system's multimedia processing capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the libavc library implementation. When processing certain video streams, the framework fails to properly validate the structure and content of video frames, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This flaw operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains including software security, multimedia processing, and operating system reliability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as "Improper Validation of Array Index" and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.100 for "Network Denial of Service" as it can be exploited to render system services unavailable through media processing channels. The flaw particularly affects video decoding operations where the system attempts to parse and render video content, creating a scenario where legitimate media processing requests can be used to trigger system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0687 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall stability and security posture of affected Android devices. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the media framework to crash or hang indefinitely, resulting in complete denial of service for multimedia applications and potentially affecting system-wide functionality. Users may experience complete system freezes, application crashes, or the inability to process any video content until the affected service is manually restarted. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply playing a maliciously crafted video file can trigger the denial of service condition. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs or where users may encounter untrusted video content. The impact is amplified by the fact that the affected system components are integral to Android's core functionality, making the denial of service potentially catastrophic for device usability and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0687 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should immediately install the latest security patches available for their specific Android versions, with particular attention to the Android security bulletin released in March 2017. System administrators should implement proactive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all devices within their managed environment receive timely updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious video content to affected devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia frameworks and emphasizes the need for comprehensive input validation and robust error handling mechanisms. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected Android versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly, as the patch availability and deployment timeline can vary across different device manufacturers and carriers.