CVE-2017-0714 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (h263 decoder). 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-36492637.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0714 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the h263 decoder component. This issue resides in the underlying multimedia processing capabilities of Android operating systems, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of these platforms across mobile devices globally. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media framework's decoding processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted malicious media files that trigger buffer overflow conditions within the h263 decoder implementation. When the affected Android system processes these specially constructed media files, the decoder fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the media framework process. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how multimedia processing components can become attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, indicating a broad impact across the Android ecosystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0714 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected media files distributed through social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation does not require physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments and individual users who may encounter malicious content through standard internet browsing or email consumption. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can establish persistent access and execute further malicious activities once initial compromise occurs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve prompt application of security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, as the official fix addresses the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the h263 decoder. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected Android devices. Network-based mitigations can include filtering of suspicious media file types and implementing strict content validation policies for email attachments and web downloads. Additionally, users should avoid downloading media content from untrusted sources and maintain awareness of social engineering tactics that might deliver malicious media files. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual media processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection capabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in multimedia frameworks and demonstrates how seemingly benign components can become significant security risks when proper input validation and memory management are not implemented.