CVE-2017-0830 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android framework (device policy client). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-62623498.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0830 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android framework's device policy client component. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 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 device policy client serves as a crucial interface for managing device security policies and administrative controls, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow malicious actors to escalate their privileges beyond normal user limitations.
The technical flaw stems from improper validation of device policy parameters within the Android framework, specifically within the device policy client implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious device policy requests that bypass normal permission checks and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system-level access. This flaw essentially allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges, potentially enabling full device compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0830 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to install malicious applications, modify system configurations, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction in many cases, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device policy management is commonly used. Organizations relying on Android device management solutions face significant risk as this vulnerability could be leveraged to undermine the entire security posture of managed devices, potentially compromising corporate networks and sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates from Google and device manufacturers. System administrators should implement strict device policy controls and monitor for unauthorized policy changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure device management protocols and proper input validation in mobile operating systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent unauthorized policy modifications, while maintaining regular security audits of device policy configurations to ensure proper access controls remain in place.