CVE-2017-0841 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Android system (libutils). 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-37723026.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0841 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Android operating system's libutils library component. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability resides in the Android system's native library implementation, specifically within the libutils module which serves as a foundational component for various system services and applications. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices without requiring any user interaction or authentication, presenting a severe security risk that could compromise device integrity and user data confidentiality.
The technical root cause of CVE-2017-0841 stems from improper input validation within the libutils library's binder interface implementation. This vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing crafted data structures through the Android Binder IPC mechanism. The flaw specifically affects the way the system handles certain data types during inter-process communication operations, allowing malicious actors to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute malicious code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been primary attack vectors in mobile operating systems. The Android ID A-37723026 indicates this was tracked as a significant security concern by Google's security team, highlighting the severity of the issue within their internal vulnerability management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple exploitation capabilities, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise potential. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain full control over affected Android devices, potentially enabling data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and further lateral movement within network environments. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction, meaning devices can be compromised simply by connecting to malicious networks or receiving specially crafted communications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows and similar mobile attack patterns, where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise devices from anywhere in the world, making this a particularly dangerous flaw for enterprise environments and personal users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0841 primarily involve immediate system updates and patches provided by Google as part of their regular security release cycle. Organizations and individuals should prioritize applying the Android security patches released in the April 2017 security update, which specifically addressed this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unexpected inter-process communication activities. Device manufacturers and carriers should ensure rapid deployment of security updates to their users, as the vulnerability affects a broad range of Android versions and devices. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation, deploying mobile device management solutions, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potentially compromised devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date mobile security implementations and highlights the necessity of continuous vulnerability monitoring in mobile environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect exploitation attempts targeting known Android vulnerabilities.