CVE-2017-0780 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android runtime (android messenger). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-37742976.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0780 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android runtime environment, specifically affecting the android messenger component. This issue manifests in versions 6.0 through 8.0 of the Android operating system, creating a significant security concern for millions of devices worldwide. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain input parameters within the messaging framework, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's response mechanisms. The Android ID A-37742976 confirms this as a legitimate security concern that required immediate attention from Google and device manufacturers.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted malicious messages or data inputs that trigger an abnormal termination of the android messenger service. The flaw exists in the way the system processes certain message protocols, causing the runtime environment to crash or become unresponsive. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes the vulnerability as an Uncontrolled Resource Consumption issue, where the system fails to properly validate or limit input processing. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the Android framework, specifically targeting the messaging subsystem that handles inter-process communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0780 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that affect user productivity and device functionality. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the messaging application to freeze or crash repeatedly, rendering communication capabilities unusable until the device is restarted. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where reliable communication is critical. The vulnerability also provides a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers denial of service attacks that can be used as a precursor to other malicious activities. The exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can remotely trigger the service disruption without requiring physical access to the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0780 focus primarily on applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Device manufacturers are advised to immediately implement the corresponding patches for their specific hardware platforms, as the vulnerability affects multiple Android versions simultaneously. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify suspicious messaging traffic patterns. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices, as this flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation issues in core system components can create significant security risks. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all Android devices within their environments, particularly given the broad scope of affected versions from Android 6.0 through 8.0.