CVE-2017-0845 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android framework (syncstorageengine). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-35028827.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0845 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the Android framework's sync storage engine component. This flaw affects multiple Android versions including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically resides in the syncstorageengine module which manages synchronization operations between local data stores and remote servers, making it a fundamental component in Android's data management infrastructure. The Android ID A-35028827 further emphasizes the severity and recognition of this issue within Google's internal tracking systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain synchronization operations that can lead to system instability and complete service interruption. When malicious or malformed synchronization requests are processed through the syncstorageengine, the framework fails to properly validate input parameters or handle exceptional conditions, resulting in a cascade of failures that can bring the entire synchronization service to a halt. This flaw operates at the framework level rather than at application level, meaning it can affect all applications and system components that rely on the synchronization services provided by the Android framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0845 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall stability and usability of affected Android devices. When the syncstorageengine becomes unresponsive or crashes, users experience complete loss of synchronization functionality for their data, including contacts, calendar entries, email accounts, and other synchronized content. This can render devices essentially unusable for their intended purpose as users cannot access their synchronized data or maintain consistency between their local device and remote services. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious synchronization requests or potentially through specially crafted applications that trigger the flawed code path, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and represents a classic denial of service scenario where system resources are exhausted or corrupted through improper input handling. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" through resource exhaustion. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling within the syncstorageengine component, along with regular security updates and patches. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize deployment of security patches that address the root cause in the framework code, while users should ensure their devices receive timely updates to protect against exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust error handling in system-level components and the potential widespread impact of flaws in foundational Android framework elements.