CVE-2017-0809 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (libstagefright). 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, 8.0. Android ID: A-62673128.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0809 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright component that handles multimedia processing. This vulnerability resides in the way Android systems process media files, particularly those containing crafted malicious payloads that exploit buffer overflow conditions during media parsing operations. The flaw affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the media framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered without user interaction when the system processes multimedia content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overflow condition in the mp4parser component of libstagefright, which processes mp4 media files. When an attacker crafts a malicious mp4 file with malformed metadata or specific payload structures, the system's media parser fails to properly validate input data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking and improper memory management within the media processing pipeline, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory regions and potentially gain complete control over the affected device. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond allocated buffer boundaries, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0809 extends beyond simple device compromise, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code remotely through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media files shared via messaging applications. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that users do not need to interact with malicious content directly, as the system automatically processes media files during routine operations such as email preview, web browsing, or media library scanning. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where mobile devices handle sensitive corporate data. The exploitation can result in complete device compromise, data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and potential lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that ensure timely deployment of security patches across all managed devices. Network-level defenses should include content filtering and media file scanning to prevent malicious media files from reaching end-user devices. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading media content from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping devices updated with the latest security patches. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections such as memory protection mechanisms and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in system-level components and the necessity of thorough security testing for multimedia processing frameworks.