CVE-2017-0728 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android media framework (hevc decoder). 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-37469795.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-0728 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media framework, specifically targeting the high efficiency video coding (HEVC) decoder component. This 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 manifests through the improper handling of malformed HEVC video streams, which can cause the media framework to crash or become unresponsive when processing specially crafted video content. This vulnerability resides within the Android media framework's video decoding pipeline, specifically affecting the HEVC decoder implementation that handles high efficiency video coding format. The flaw is classified as a buffer over-read condition where the decoder fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, leading to memory access violations that result in system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, web downloads, or multimedia content delivered via social media platforms, potentially allowing attackers to remotely disrupt device functionality without requiring user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-0728 occurs when an attacker crafts a malformed HEVC video file that contains malformed headers or corrupted data structures that cause the decoder to attempt to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. This buffer over-read condition typically results in a segmentation fault or memory access violation that terminates the media framework process or causes the entire system to freeze. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HEVC decoder implementation, where the code does not properly check for valid parameter ranges or malformed data structures before attempting to process video frames. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" which represents an insufficient boundary check during memory access operations. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device disruption as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that may require device rebooting to resolve. When exploited, the vulnerability can affect the device's multimedia capabilities entirely, preventing users from playing any HEVC video content while potentially causing cascading effects on other system components that rely on the media framework for proper operation.
The security implications of CVE-2017-0728 align with ATT&CK technique T1499.002: "Network Denial of Service" as it enables attackers to remotely disrupt device functionality through crafted media content delivery. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges or user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted multimedia content. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where media-based attacks are increasingly common, particularly in mobile environments where users frequently consume multimedia content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's impact on Android versions 5.0.2 through 7.1.2 indicates that a substantial portion of the Android user base was potentially affected, as these versions represented major releases that were widely deployed across various device manufacturers and carriers. The vulnerability's presence in the media framework also suggests potential integration with other system components that could amplify the denial of service impact, potentially affecting not just media playback but also system stability and user experience across multiple application domains. Device manufacturers and security researchers should prioritize patch deployment for affected versions, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in how the Android platform handles video decoding operations, requiring core framework modifications to address the underlying buffer over-read condition.