CVE-2017-0807 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android framework (ui framework). 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. Android ID: A-35056974.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0807 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android framework's user interface component, specifically affecting multiple versions of the Android operating system from 4.4.4 through 7.1.2. This weakness resides in the system's handling of certain framework components that manage user interface interactions and permissions, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges beyond normal boundaries. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the ui framework, allowing attackers to manipulate system calls and gain unauthorized access to protected resources and functionalities that should only be available to system-level processes or applications with elevated permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the Android framework processes specific user interface events and system calls, particularly when dealing with inter-process communication mechanisms and permission checks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the flawed framework behavior to bypass normal access controls and execute code with higher privileges than initially granted. The vulnerability specifically impacts the way the system validates and processes certain framework messages, creating a condition where unprivileged applications can manipulate the ui framework into executing privileged operations. This flaw operates at the core of Android's security model, where the separation between user applications and system services is compromised, potentially allowing attackers to gain root access or access to sensitive system functionalities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0807 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security boundaries that protect Android devices from malicious software. Once exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to install persistent malware, access encrypted data, modify system configurations, and potentially gain complete control over affected devices. The widespread nature of affected Android versions means that millions of devices could be vulnerable to this exploit, particularly those running on older platforms that may not have received timely security updates. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which describes permissions, privileges, and access controls issues, and represents a classic example of how framework-level security flaws can create systemic risks across entire operating system versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0807 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability requires core framework modifications to address the underlying permission validation flaws. Organizations and users should prioritize applying security patches promptly, as the vulnerability does not require user interaction to exploit and can be triggered through malicious applications installed on affected devices. Device manufacturers must ensure comprehensive testing of security updates to prevent regressions in functionality while addressing the privilege escalation pathway. Security researchers and defenders should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement additional runtime protections, such as application sandboxing and enhanced monitoring of system calls, to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for continuous security assessments of framework components, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor validation flaws can create significant security risks. This issue is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges, and represents a critical weakness that requires immediate remediation to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.