CVE-2017-0759 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (libstagefright). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-36715268.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2017-0759 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically in the libstagefright component that processes multimedia files. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a wide range of devices. The issue stems from improper handling of multimedia file parsing, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that can trigger arbitrary code execution when processed by the affected Android versions. The vulnerability was identified by Google's security team and assigned Android ID A-36715268, indicating its significance within the Android security ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests through a buffer overflow condition in the media parsing logic of libstagefright, which operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-121. This weakness category describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of crafted multimedia files, particularly those containing malformed headers or metadata that cause the parsing routine to overflow buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations. Attackers can exploit this by sending malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads, without requiring any user interaction beyond the automatic processing of media content by the Android system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0759 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media framework process. This creates a potential attack vector for full system compromise, allowing threat actors to gain persistent access to affected devices, steal sensitive data, install malicious applications, or even escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the Android media framework as a means of code execution. Since the exploitation requires no user interaction and can occur automatically when media files are processed, it presents an ideal target for mass deployment attacks. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Android versions means that a single exploit can potentially compromise thousands of devices simultaneously, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals and nation-state actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0759 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android users should immediately update to the latest security patches released by Google, which typically include fixes for the buffer overflow conditions in libstagefright. Organizations should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious media files and disable automatic media processing where possible. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it essential for security administrators to monitor network traffic for suspicious media file transfers and implement robust mobile device management policies. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and memory management within the media framework, ensuring that all input data is validated before processing and that buffer sizes are appropriately managed to prevent overflow conditions.