CVE-2017-0778 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (n/a). Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-62133227.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0778 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework affecting versions 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2. This issue resides in the underlying media processing components that handle multimedia content and system interactions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain media data structures during processing, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information exposure. The affected Android ID A-62133227 indicates this was tracked within Google's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting its significance in the Android security ecosystem. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within system-level components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the media framework's interaction with specific data processing routines that fail to properly sanitize or validate input parameters. When processing certain multimedia content, the framework may expose internal memory contents, system metadata, or sensitive operational data to unauthorized processes or applications. This occurs through improper boundary checking and inadequate memory access controls that allow adjacent memory regions to be accessed and potentially read by malicious entities. The flaw operates at the kernel level or system service layer where media processing occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both local and potentially remote attackers depending on the execution context. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0778 extends beyond simple data leakage, as it can potentially enable attackers to gather sensitive system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access memory contents that reveal system configurations, process identifiers, or other operational details that would aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of such information creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks or enables adversaries to better understand the target system's operational state. This vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the information gathering category, where adversaries collect system information to inform their attack strategies. The media framework's role in processing multimedia content makes this particularly concerning as users frequently interact with media applications, increasing the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application through official Android security updates, as the fix typically involves correcting memory handling routines and implementing proper input validation within the media framework components. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the relevant security patches to all affected Android versions, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices may be used for sensitive operations. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The remediation process should include thorough testing of media applications and services to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining the security improvements. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of keeping their devices updated and avoiding untrusted media content that might trigger exploitation of such vulnerabilities.