CVE-2017-0815 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (libeffects). 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-63526567.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0815 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libeffects library component. This issue resides in the underlying audio processing subsystem that handles various media effects and audio enhancement functionalities. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters during media effect processing, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The affected Android versions span across multiple major releases including the widely deployed android 4.4.4 through android 8.0, indicating a prolonged exposure window that affected millions of devices globally.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the media framework's effect processing pipeline. When applications or system components attempt to apply audio effects through the libeffects library, the system does not adequately validate the boundaries of input data structures or memory regions. This deficiency allows for potential buffer over-read conditions where the processing code accesses memory locations beyond the intended data boundaries, inadvertently exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to extract confidential data including application memory contents, system information, or even cryptographic keys that might be stored in adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0815 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed data could potentially contain sensitive system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Mobile devices running affected Android versions could be compromised through various attack vectors including malicious applications or compromised media files that trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability's presence in the core media framework means that any application with media processing capabilities could potentially trigger the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted media content. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves execution through system commands, and T1005, which covers data from local system storage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0815 primarily involve immediate system updates and patches provided by Google as part of their regular security releases. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to Android versions that contain the fixed libeffects implementation, typically Android 7.1.1 and later releases. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms within applications that interact with media frameworks can help reduce the attack surface. System administrators should monitor for any unauthorized applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability and consider implementing network-based security controls to prevent potential data exfiltration attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a medium severity issue in the CVSS scoring system reflects the potential for sensitive information exposure, though the actual exploitation difficulty varies based on the specific implementation and surrounding security controls.