CVE-2017-0847 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android media framework (mediaanalytics). Product: Android. Versions: 8.0. Android ID: A-65540999.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0847 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the mediaanalytics component. This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system version 8.0 and is catalogued under Android ID A-65540999. The mediaanalytics service is responsible for collecting and processing media-related usage statistics and analytics data, making it a critical system component that requires robust security controls. The flaw allows malicious actors to escalate their privileges from a standard application level to a system-level elevation, potentially granting them unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the mediaanalytics service. When processing media-related data, the system fails to properly validate certain parameters or data structures passed to the mediaanalytics component, creating a pathway for privilege escalation. This weakness enables an attacker to manipulate the service's behavior through crafted inputs that should be restricted to system-level processes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-264, which specifically addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, highlighting the fundamental flaw in how the system manages access permissions for critical services. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges, bypassing the normal security boundaries that separate user applications from system-level processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0847 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with the ability to gain system-level privileges without requiring physical access or additional exploitation vectors. Once successfully exploited, an attacker could potentially access all system resources, modify critical system files, install malicious applications, and access sensitive user data. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model's core principle of least privilege, where applications should operate with minimal necessary permissions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because mediaanalytics is a service that typically runs with elevated privileges to collect system-wide media usage statistics, making it an attractive target for exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' demonstrating how attackers can leverage system weaknesses to gain higher-level access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the privilege escalation flaw through proper input validation and access control mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android security update that resolves this issue, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in unpatched systems. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around media analytics service access. The recommended security measures include enabling automatic security updates where possible, conducting regular vulnerability assessments of the Android environment, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Additionally, security teams should review and harden the mediaanalytics service configuration to ensure it operates with the minimum required privileges, reducing the potential impact should the vulnerability be exploited despite patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and highlights the necessity of comprehensive security monitoring for system-level services that handle sensitive operational data.