CVE-2017-0768 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android media framework (libeffects). 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-62019992.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0768 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media framework, specifically within the libeffects library component. This issue affects multiple 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, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability resides in the media framework's handling of audio effects processing, which is a core component of Android's multimedia subsystem that manages audio rendering and processing for various applications and system services.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and memory management within the libeffects library, which processes audio effects for media applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious audio effect parameters or manipulating the audio processing pipeline to achieve unauthorized privilege escalation. This occurs because the vulnerable code fails to properly validate user-supplied inputs before processing them within the privileged context of the media framework. The flaw essentially allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, bypassing normal Android security boundaries that typically separate user applications from system services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain root-level access to affected Android devices without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond installing a malicious application. This elevation of privilege allows attackers to perform actions such as installing malicious applications, accessing all device data, modifying system settings, and potentially accessing sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and communication records. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level within the media framework, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard application sandboxing mechanisms.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" conditions, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through normal media processing operations, making it particularly stealthy and dangerous in real-world scenarios. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android versions, as the vulnerability exists in the core system libraries that are fundamental to Android's operation. The Android security team addressed this issue through kernel-level patches and updates to the media framework components, emphasizing the critical nature of the flaw and its potential for widespread exploitation across various Android device manufacturers and versions.