CVE-2017-0703 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system ui. Product: Android. Versions: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-33123882.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0703 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android system user interface component, specifically affecting multiple versions of the Android operating system from 4.4.4 through 7.1.2. This weakness resides in the system ui service which handles core user interface functions and system interactions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges within the Android environment. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the system ui service, allowing malicious applications to exploit a privilege escalation path that bypasses normal Android security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the system ui service's handling of inter-process communication mechanisms, specifically related to how the service processes and validates incoming requests from untrusted applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially crafted malicious applications that exploit the improper privilege checks within the system ui component. The vulnerability manifests when the system ui service fails to properly validate the identity and privileges of requesting processes, enabling unauthorized applications to execute code with elevated system-level permissions. This flaw directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over system-level functions and access to sensitive data stored within the device. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can perform actions such as installing additional malware, modifying system files, accessing protected user data, and potentially establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple generations of the platform, and the impact is particularly severe given that the system ui service is integral to normal device operation and security enforcement. Organizations and users with devices running the affected Android versions face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring physical access to the device or advanced technical skills from the attacker.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0703 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as well as implementing additional security controls within enterprise environments. Device administrators should prioritize updating affected Android systems to versions that contain the patched system ui service implementation, which addresses the improper privilege validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious system ui service interactions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current Android security patches and highlights the critical nature of system ui components in overall device security architecture, as these services often serve as attack vectors for more sophisticated exploits targeting the underlying operating system.