CVE-2017-0698 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure 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-35467458.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0698 represents a critical information disclosure 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 vulnerability resides in the media framework component responsible for handling multimedia content processing and playback operations. The flaw specifically manifests in how the system handles certain media file formats and their associated metadata during processing, creating an avenue for unauthorized information exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of media file structures within the android media framework. When processing specific media files, the framework fails to properly validate or sanitize input data, leading to information leakage through memory corruption or buffer overflow conditions. This issue is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a classic example of how improper data validation can lead to security breaches. The vulnerability allows attackers to extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected, potentially exposing system internals, user data, or application secrets.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0698 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the android ecosystem. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to sensitive system information that might aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in multiple android versions indicates a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of the mobile device population. From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the information gathering category, where adversaries seek to collect intelligence about system configurations and data structures. The vulnerability affects the core media processing capabilities of android devices, potentially impacting applications that rely heavily on multimedia functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by google as part of their regular android security updates. Organizations and users should prioritize updating their android devices to versions that contain the fix for this information disclosure vulnerability. The patch addresses the underlying media framework implementation by improving input validation and memory handling procedures. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual information leakage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security controls should focus on limiting the attack surface by restricting access to media processing functions where possible. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper code review processes and security testing for system components that handle user-provided data. Organizations implementing android-based security solutions should ensure their monitoring systems are capable of detecting anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.