CVE-2017-0840 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (libstagefright). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-62948670.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The Android media framework vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0840 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the libstagefright component that processes multimedia content. This vulnerability specifically affects Android versions ranging from 5.0.2 through 8.0, encompassing a significant portion of the mobile platform's user base. The issue stems from improper handling of media file parsing operations that can lead to unauthorized data exposure through memory corruption mechanisms. The vulnerability resides in the stagefright media parser which is responsible for processing various multimedia formats including mp4, 3gp, and other container formats commonly used in mobile communications and media playback. This flaw allows attackers to extract sensitive information from the device's memory through crafted malicious media files that exploit memory access violations during parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the libstagefright component processes malformed media files that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. The flaw enables attackers to read arbitrary memory locations within the application's address space, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or private application data. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 indicates an out-of-bounds read condition where the media parser accesses memory beyond its allocated boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications often handle sensitive user data and maintain access to device resources. The attack vector typically involves sending malicious media files through standard communication channels such as email attachments, messaging applications, or downloaded content that gets processed by the vulnerable media framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0840 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Android ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive information stored in memory, which may include user session data, application configuration details, or device-specific identifiers. This information can be leveraged for further attacks including privilege escalation, credential theft, or targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability affects the core media processing functionality of Android, meaning that any application that processes multimedia content is potentially at risk. The exploitation can occur without user interaction in many scenarios, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when media files are processed by the system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access to system resources through legitimate media processing channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0840 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should ensure that all affected Android devices are updated to the latest security patches available for their respective Android versions. The vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly concerning for mobile environments where user interaction is minimal. Device manufacturers should implement robust testing procedures for media processing components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into future releases. The fix typically involves strengthening input validation and memory access controls within the libstagefright component to prevent out-of-bounds memory reads. Security researchers recommend implementing network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be triggered through network-delivered media content. Additionally, users should exercise caution when processing media files from untrusted sources and consider implementing application sandboxing or restricted media processing environments to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.