CVE-2017-0810 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android media framework (libmpeg2). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-38207066.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0810 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libmpeg2 library component. This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing capabilities and was disclosed in 2017 as part of Google's regular security updates. The affected versions span across Android 6.0 through 8.0, indicating a substantial attack surface that impacted a significant portion of the Android user base during that time period. The vulnerability was assigned Android ID A-38207066, which reflects Google's internal tracking system for security issues within their mobile platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the MPEG2 decoding functionality of the Android media framework. When processing specially crafted malicious MPEG2 video files, the libmpeg2 library fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocations, leading to potential memory corruption conditions. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the decoding process through crafted media files that trigger buffer overflows or other memory-related issues. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system attempts to decode malformed MPEG2 streams, where the media framework does not adequately check input parameters before processing. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0810 extends beyond simple media processing, as it creates a vector for remote code execution that could be exploited through various attack scenarios. Attackers could deliver malicious media content via email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, allowing them to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable devices without user interaction. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level within the media framework, meaning successful exploitation could grant attackers full control over the device's multimedia processing capabilities and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. This remote execution capability aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques under T1203, which describes exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1068, which covers exploitation of remote services. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the affected Android versions were widely deployed across various device manufacturers, creating a substantial attack surface that could be leveraged for large-scale exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0810 primarily focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Device manufacturers were required to incorporate these patches into their respective Android version releases, with the vulnerability being addressed through the Android Security Bulletin for 2017-04-05. Users should ensure their devices receive all available security updates, particularly those related to media framework components and the libmpeg2 library specifically. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based filtering to block potentially malicious media content, disabling automatic media playback in web browsers and email clients, and maintaining awareness of suspicious file attachments or downloads. Organizations deploying Android devices should establish robust patch management policies that prioritize security updates for media processing components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in mobile operating system frameworks, as recommended by industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards and the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines. Regular security assessments of media processing components and input validation mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited through analogous attack vectors.