CVE-2017-0764 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (libvorbis). 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, 8.0. Android ID: A-62872015.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0764 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libvorbis library component. This issue resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing capabilities and was designated with the Android ID A-62872015. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0, making it particularly concerning given the extensive deployment of these versions across various mobile devices worldwide. The flaw stems from improper input validation within the vorbis audio decoding process, which allows maliciously crafted audio files to trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying media framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the libvorbis library processes specially crafted vorbis audio files. When an Android device encounters such malformed media content, the decoding process fails to properly validate the input data, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media framework process. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-129, representing invalid access to memory buffers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media content delivered via messaging applications, making it a prime target for zero-day exploitation campaigns.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device users and organizations deploying these systems. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain complete control over affected devices without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond encountering the malicious media content. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreter, and demonstrates how media processing components can serve as entry points for broader system compromise. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable large-scale attacks through mass distribution of malicious media files, particularly in environments where users frequently download content from untrusted sources or where corporate devices are vulnerable to such attacks. Organizations relying on Android devices for business operations face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate networks, and complete device takeovers that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0764 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the libvorbis library. System administrators should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious media content and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically apply security patches. Additional protective measures include enabling Android's built-in security features such as verified boot and runtime integrity checking, while also considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and establish incident response procedures that account for potential compromise scenarios. The remediation process must also include user education regarding the risks of downloading media content from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining up-to-date device security patches. Given the nature of this vulnerability, which can be exploited without user interaction, proactive patch management becomes critical for maintaining device security and preventing potential exploitation by threat actors who may have already developed working exploits for this vulnerability.