CVE-2017-0712 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android framework (wi-fi service). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-37207928.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0712 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android framework's wifi service component. This weakness resides in the system's handling of wireless network management operations and allows malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper privilege checking mechanisms within the wifi service implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution with elevated system privileges.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of specific wifi service requests and communications between different system components. When the wifi service processes certain commands or parameters, it fails to adequately validate the originating source or verify the requesting entity's authorization level. This validation gap allows an attacker with local access to manipulate wifi service operations and gain unauthorized system-level privileges. The vulnerability operates under CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the system's wireless management infrastructure that can be exploited to bypass normal security boundaries and execute arbitrary code with the highest system permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of affected Android devices. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the device, including access to sensitive user data, ability to install malicious applications, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all users of the targeted Android versions regardless of device manufacturer or carrier, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective. Devices running these affected versions become susceptible to sophisticated attacks that could result in data breaches, privacy violations, and potential use as part of botnets or command and control infrastructure. The widespread nature of the affected Android versions means that millions of devices worldwide could be at risk, particularly in enterprise environments where Android devices are commonly used for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0712 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system updates from Google and device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to the latest security patches available through official channels, as these updates contain the necessary fixes for the privilege escalation vulnerability. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and security controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, including monitoring for unusual wifi service activity and unauthorized privilege escalation patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and regular system maintenance to prevent similar issues from occurring. Device users should be educated about the importance of keeping their systems updated and avoiding untrusted applications that might exploit such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar privilege escalation weaknesses in other system components.