CVE-2017-0755 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android libraries (libminikin). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-32178311.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0755 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android operating system's libminikin library component. This library serves as a foundational element for text rendering and font handling across Android devices, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The Android ID A-32178311 further underscores the severity and recognition of this flaw within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input validation and memory handling within the libminikin library. Specifically, the flaw manifests when processing certain font files or text rendering operations that trigger a buffer overflow condition or memory corruption issue. This allows an attacker with a local privileged context to manipulate memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the system level, meaning that successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain access to system resources and capabilities that should be restricted to authorized processes only. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0755 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Android devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain root access to the device, allowing them to modify system files, install malicious applications, access encrypted data, and monitor user activities. The implications are particularly severe given that the affected versions encompass a broad range of Android releases that were widely deployed across various device manufacturers. This vulnerability could be exploited through malicious applications or compromised system components, making it a significant threat vector for both targeted attacks and mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within core system libraries that cannot be easily patched through application-level updates. Users should prioritize installing the latest security patches released by their device manufacturers, which typically include updated versions of the libminikin library with proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations deploying Android devices should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and implement additional monitoring measures. Security professionals should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated access rights. Device manufacturers should also implement enhanced code review processes and security testing for system libraries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.