CVE-2017-0832 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-62887820.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0832 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libmpeg2 library component. This issue resides in the Android operating system's multimedia processing capabilities and was discovered through comprehensive security research conducted by Google's security team. The 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 Android ID A-62887820 provides internal tracking reference for this specific vulnerability within Google's security infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition within the MPEG-2 decoding functionality of the media framework. When processing specially crafted malicious media files, the libmpeg2 library fails to properly validate input data length, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This memory corruption vulnerability occurs during the parsing of MPEG-2 video streams and can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media files delivered via messaging applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, which is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient validation of length of buffer. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media framework process, which typically runs with system-level permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0832 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security implications for Android devices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected devices without requiring physical presence or user interaction beyond the initial triggering mechanism. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through common attack vectors such as SMS messages containing malicious media attachments, email attachments, or web-based media content. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to install applications, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors on the affected device. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant threat to mobile device security. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users are at risk even when they are not actively interacting with potentially malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0832 require immediate action from device users and administrators. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest available security patches, particularly focusing on the Android 7.0, 7.1.1, and 8.0 versions which are most affected. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block suspicious media attachments and monitor for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device users should avoid downloading media files from untrusted sources and be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links that might lead to media content. Additionally, security researchers and organizations should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, emphasizing the need for robust bounds checking and memory management techniques in system-level software components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive mobile security management strategies.