CVE-2017-0842 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system (bluetooth). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-37502513.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0842 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android Bluetooth subsystem that affects multiple versions including Android 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0. This vulnerability resides in the system-level Bluetooth implementation and allows malicious actors to escalate their privileges from a standard user context to that of a system-level process. The flaw stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the Bluetooth service that handles device pairing and connection management. According to the Android security advisory, this issue specifically impacts the Bluetooth service's handling of certain Bluetooth profiles and connection states, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems. The flaw manifests when the Bluetooth service processes incoming connection requests or profile updates without adequate validation of the requesting process's privileges. This allows a malicious application with Bluetooth permissions to manipulate the system's Bluetooth service in ways that should only be possible for system-level processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the inherent trust relationships within the Android Bluetooth framework, where legitimate Bluetooth operations are performed with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious Bluetooth connection sequences that trigger the vulnerable code path, ultimately gaining system-level access to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0842 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system control over affected devices. Once exploited, adversaries can install malicious applications, modify system files, access all user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is frequently used, such as automotive systems, smart home devices, or enterprise mobile devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, specifically targeting the system service manipulation and access control bypass tactics. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction since the vulnerability can be triggered through automated Bluetooth connection attempts, making it a significant threat vector for both individual users and enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the specific access control flaws in the Bluetooth service implementation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected Android versions, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies can enforce automatic updates. Additionally, security measures such as Bluetooth device whitelisting, disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services, and implementing network segmentation can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in system-level services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and privilege checking mechanisms. Security professionals should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and device behavior monitoring, as the vulnerability may be used in targeted attacks against high-value targets or in large-scale automated exploitation campaigns.