CVE-2017-0696 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-37207120.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0696 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media framework that affects multiple versions of the operating system including Android 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2. This issue resides in the media framework component responsible for handling multimedia content processing and playback operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, specifically when handling malformed or specially crafted media files. The Android ID A-37207120 indicates this was tracked as a significant security concern within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the media framework encounters improperly formatted media data structures that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying processing components. When a maliciously crafted media file is processed, the framework fails to properly validate the input data before attempting to parse and decode the content. This leads to a situation where the media processing thread becomes unstable or enters an infinite loop, causing the entire media framework to become unresponsive. The flaw typically manifests when the system attempts to decode specific media codecs or handle particular metadata structures that are not properly sanitized before processing. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to improper handling of malformed input data within the media processing subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0696 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can effectively render the device unusable for media-related functions until the system is rebooted. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into opening malicious media files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications. The denial of service condition affects not only individual media playback but can also impact the broader system stability as the media framework is integral to many Android services and applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" and represents a significant risk for both personal and enterprise environments where Android devices are used. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in scenarios where users are prompted to open media files through social engineering attacks or when the flaw is present in widely used applications that process multimedia content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0696 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to versions that contain the patched media framework components. System administrators should implement mobile device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for any suspicious media file handling activities. Additionally, users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and should be educated about the risks associated with downloading content from unknown origins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing systems and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of media handling components against malformed data inputs. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potentially malicious media content that could trigger this vulnerability during transit or storage operations.