CVE-2017-0693 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-36993291.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0693 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media framework that affects multiple versions of the operating system including android 6.0 and its subsequent releases up to 7.1.2. This issue resides in the media server component responsible for handling multimedia content processing and playback operations across the android platform. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the media framework's parsing routines that process various multimedia file formats and streams.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when maliciously crafted media files or streams are processed by the android media framework, specifically targeting the stagefright component that handles multimedia content ingestion. The flaw manifests through insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices during the parsing of multimedia containers such as mp4, 3gp, and other supported formats. When the media server encounters malformed or specially constructed media data, it fails to properly validate input parameters before proceeding with decoding operations, leading to memory corruption and subsequent system crashes or complete service unavailability.
This vulnerability directly impacts the operational integrity of android devices by enabling remote attackers to trigger denial of service conditions without requiring any user interaction or authentication. The attack vector can be executed through various means including email attachments, web content, messaging applications, or file transfers, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content. The media framework's role in handling multimedia content across multiple applications means that exploitation can affect not only media playback but also broader system stability and application functionality. The vulnerability maps to CWE-125 out of the common weakness enumeration, specifically addressing out-of-bounds read conditions that occur during memory access operations.
The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise device availability and user productivity, especially in enterprise environments where mobile devices serve critical business functions. Devices affected by this vulnerability may experience complete system lockups, requiring manual reboot to restore normal operation, and could leave users unable to access essential communication or productivity applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that android devices process multimedia content through multiple pathways including email clients, web browsers, messaging applications, and file managers, each providing potential ingress points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0693 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official android security updates provided by google and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement network-level controls to filter potentially malicious multimedia content and disable automatic media processing for untrusted sources. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which addresses exploitation of software vulnerabilities through denial of service mechanisms. Additionally, mobile device management solutions should enforce security policies that limit media processing capabilities and implement sandboxing measures to contain potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the media framework components.