CVE-2017-0731 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android media framework (mpeg4 encoder). 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-36075363.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0731 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the mpeg4 encoder component. This issue resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing capabilities and has been classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" which directly contributes to privilege escalation scenarios. 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 widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The Android ID A-36075363 further underscores the severity and recognition of this flaw by Google's security team.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of media data within the mpeg4 encoder, allowing an attacker to manipulate the encoding process and subsequently gain elevated privileges on the device. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the media framework, specifically targeting the mpeg4 encoder implementation that processes multimedia content. When a maliciously crafted media file is processed by the vulnerable encoder, the system fails to properly validate input parameters, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation. The attack vector typically involves the execution of specially crafted media content that triggers the vulnerable code path within the encoder, potentially allowing an unprivileged application to execute code with kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0731 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges available. This capability enables comprehensive system compromise, including access to sensitive user data, modification of system files, installation of malicious applications, and potential persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Port Knocking" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to establish persistent access and execute further malicious activities. The flaw's presence in the media framework also means that exploitation could occur through various attack surfaces including email attachments, web browsing, or media file downloads, making it particularly dangerous for end users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application through official Android security updates, as the flaw cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations and users must ensure that all affected Android devices receive the necessary security patches from Google, which typically include input validation fixes and code modifications to prevent the privilege escalation scenario. Additional defensive measures should include network-based filtering to prevent the download of suspicious media content, application whitelisting to restrict media processing applications, and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system components and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls related to input validation and privilege management. Given the kernel-level nature of the vulnerability, device administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous privilege escalation activities and maintain regular system integrity checks to prevent exploitation attempts.