CVE-2017-0784 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system (nfc). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-37287958.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0784 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem that affects multiple versions of the Android operating system including 5.0.2 through 7.1.2. This vulnerability resides in the Bluetooth stack implementation within Android's NFC service, specifically within the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) handling mechanisms. The flaw allows a malicious application with NFC permissions to escalate its privileges and gain access to system-level functionality that should be restricted to authorized system components. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the NFC service's Bluetooth communication layer, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that can potentially compromise the entire device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing malformed NFC data packets through the Bluetooth LE communication interface. When an application sends specially crafted NFC data to the system, the NFC service fails to properly validate the incoming data length before processing it within a fixed-size buffer. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions and potentially execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction and can be exploited through NFC communication, which is enabled by default on most Android devices. The flaw maps to CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how NFC and Bluetooth integration can create security gaps when proper input validation is absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0784 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system resources, including the ability to read and modify protected system files, access user credentials, and potentially install malicious applications without user consent. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through NFC communication, meaning that an attacker could potentially compromise a device simply by coming within NFC range, without requiring physical access or additional authentication. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where devices are frequently exposed to public NFC networks or where users may unknowingly interact with malicious NFC tags. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions and represents a persistent threat that remains exploitable on devices that have not received appropriate security patches, creating a significant risk for enterprise deployments and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Google through the Android security bulletins, as well as proper system configuration to limit NFC functionality where possible. Organizations should implement mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies restricting NFC capabilities and monitor for suspicious NFC activity. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1546 which addresses persistence mechanisms that can be established through system-level privilege escalation. Device administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous NFC communications and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits should verify that NFC services are properly configured and that all devices have received the necessary security updates to address this vulnerability. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the buffer overflow condition in the Bluetooth LE handling code and includes additional input validation mechanisms to prevent the exploitation vector that enables privilege escalation.