CVE-2017-0770 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android media framework (libmediaplayerservice). 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-38234812.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0770 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libmediaplayerservice component. This vulnerability exists in 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 issue stems from improper handling of media player service operations that allows malicious applications to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system-level functionality.
The technical flaw manifests through a buffer overflow condition within the media framework's service handling mechanism. When processing certain media playback requests, the system fails to properly validate input parameters and buffer boundaries, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attacker-controlled applications. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows arbitrary code execution within the context of the media player service. The flaw specifically affects the media framework's ability to manage concurrent media operations and handle malformed input data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive system resources, user data, and device functionality. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious media files or playback commands that trigger the buffer overflow condition, subsequently escalating their privileges to system level access. This capability allows for complete device compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to the affected Android devices. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter usage for system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0770 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security fixes, particularly for devices running the affected Android versions. Additionally, implementing proper application sandboxing and limiting media player service access to trusted applications can reduce the attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device administrators should also consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict media file handling capabilities and enforce strict application permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy Android versions that may not receive continued security support.