CVE-2017-0757 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (libavc). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-36006815.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0757 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libavc component responsible for video decoding operations. This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing stack and was discovered to be exploitable through crafted malicious media files that could be delivered via various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications. The flaw affects multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the media framework's handling of video codec data, particularly when processing advanced video compression formats that utilize the H.264 video standard. This issue is categorized under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, indicating that the vulnerability allows an attacker to write data beyond the bounds of allocated memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an Android device processes a specially crafted video file through the media framework, specifically targeting the libavc library's video decoding functions. When the system attempts to decode the malicious video content, the improper bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the media framework process. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically when media files are opened or previewed by the system, making it difficult for users to avoid exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain execution privileges, and specifically demonstrates how media processing components can serve as attack vectors for remote code execution. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries of the Android operating system by leveraging the legitimate media processing functionality to inject malicious code into the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0757 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to affected devices and potentially escalate privileges to full system control. Once exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, monitor communications, or establish persistent backdoors on the device. The widespread adoption of affected Android versions means that a significant portion of mobile devices could be vulnerable to this attack, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy Android devices might be in use. Organizations and individual users face substantial risk from this vulnerability as it can be exploited through various attack vectors without requiring user interaction beyond opening or previewing the malicious media content. The vulnerability's severity classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers could potentially compromise devices from anywhere in the world, making it particularly dangerous for mobile devices that frequently connect to untrusted networks. Security researchers have noted that the exploitation of this vulnerability could also enable attackers to bypass Android's security model, potentially allowing access to the device's secure storage, user credentials, and other sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0757 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which include fixes to the libavc library and the broader media framework components. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all affected Android devices, particularly those running versions 6.0 through 7.1.2. Mobile device management solutions should be configured to automatically enforce security updates and ensure that devices remain protected against this and similar vulnerabilities. Users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted media files, and security awareness programs should emphasize the importance of keeping devices updated with the latest security patches. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and filtering measures to detect and block potentially malicious media content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues within mobile device ecosystems. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, temporary mitigations such as disabling automatic media preview functionality or restricting access to untrusted media sources can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also consider implementing device encryption and secure boot mechanisms to provide additional defense-in-depth against exploitation attempts.