CVE-2017-0822 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system (camera). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-63787722.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0822 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android camera system affecting multiple versions including 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0. This issue resides in the Android system components and specifically targets the camera service implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and insufficient input validation within the camera service framework, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability manifests as an improper access control weakness where the camera service fails to properly verify the privileges of requesting processes, enabling attackers to manipulate camera operations beyond their intended scope. The Android ID A-63787722 confirms this as a system-level security flaw that requires immediate attention from device manufacturers and security administrators. The vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation mechanism where an unprivileged application can exploit the camera service to gain system-level capabilities, potentially enabling full device compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the camera service's insufficient privilege checking mechanisms to execute malicious code with elevated permissions. Attackers can craft specially designed applications that interact with the camera service in ways that bypass normal security boundaries, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This flaw enables malicious actors to access sensitive system resources, modify system files, and potentially install persistent backdoors on affected devices. The exploitation process typically involves establishing a malicious camera service client that can manipulate the camera subsystem to trigger the privilege escalation. Through the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, this vulnerability maps directly to T1068, which describes the use of legitimate credentials and system services to gain higher privileges. The camera service in Android is designed to provide multimedia functionality to applications, but the flaw allows attackers to manipulate this service to access system-level resources that should normally be restricted to privileged processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0822 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited across multiple Android versions and device manufacturers. This vulnerability affects a fundamental system service that is present on virtually all Android devices, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise mobile devices at scale. Once exploited, the elevated privileges allow attackers to access sensitive data, monitor user activities, and potentially establish persistent access to affected devices. The vulnerability's widespread impact is compounded by the fact that it affects multiple Android versions, meaning that users across different generations of Android systems remain at risk. Organizations and individuals must recognize that this vulnerability can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, device surveillance, and the installation of malicious applications that can operate with full system privileges. The security implications extend to enterprise environments where mobile devices may contain sensitive corporate data, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Android-based mobile platforms for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0822 must include immediate patch deployment from device manufacturers, as Google released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in their Android security bulletins. System administrators should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that enforce security updates and monitor for suspicious camera service activity. The vulnerability can be addressed through proper privilege validation mechanisms, ensuring that camera service requests are properly authenticated and authorized before granting access to system-level resources. Security professionals should implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous camera service behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should adopt stricter input validation and access control mechanisms within their camera service implementations, following security best practices established by industry standards. Regular security audits of Android system services should be conducted to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of installing untrusted applications that may exploit this vulnerability, as well as implementing application sandboxing techniques that limit the potential impact of compromised applications. Organizations should consider implementing device hardening measures that restrict camera service access to only trusted applications and monitor for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts through system logs and security information and event management systems.