CVE-2017-0808 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android framework (file system). Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-62301183.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Android framework's file system implementation and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0. The issue stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized processes to gain visibility into file system structures and potentially access sensitive data that should remain restricted to specific applications or system components. The vulnerability manifests when the Android system fails to properly enforce file permissions and access controls, creating pathways for malicious applications to enumerate and access files outside their designated scope. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing inadequate permissions and access control enforcement within the operating system's core components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the underlying file system interfaces within Android's framework where processes can bypass normal access restrictions through crafted file system operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform directory traversal attacks or access files that contain sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, application configurations, or system logs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the framework level rather than within individual applications, meaning that a successful exploitation could potentially affect multiple applications and system components simultaneously. The Android ID A-62301183 indicates this was tracked as a system-wide issue requiring framework-level patches rather than application-specific fixes.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the target system's configuration and user data. This information can then be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, credential theft, or targeted social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to sensitive information. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1005 (Data from Local System), as it enables systematic enumeration of file system contents and access to sensitive data stores.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from Google, as the fix must address the core file system access control mechanisms within the Android framework. Organizations should prioritize patching affected Android versions to prevent exploitation, while security teams should implement monitoring for unusual file system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include enforcing strict application sandboxing, implementing robust access control policies, and conducting regular security audits of file system permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date mobile operating system versions and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core framework components to prevent similar information disclosure issues from emerging in future releases.