CVE-2017-0850 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (libstagefright). Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-64836941.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0850 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework, specifically within the libstagefright component that handles multimedia processing. This vulnerability affects Android versions 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these operating system versions. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media processing pipeline, creating a pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information from the device's memory space.
The technical flaw manifests when the libstagefright library processes malformed multimedia files, particularly those containing crafted malicious data structures. The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper bounds checking and memory management during the parsing of media containers, allowing for out-of-bounds memory reads that can expose confidential data including system memory contents, application data, and potentially sensitive user information. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The flaw enables attackers to perform memory disclosure attacks that can reveal information about the device's internal state and memory layout.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted memory contents can provide attackers with crucial information needed for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into memory addresses, system configurations, and potentially sensitive application data that could be used to bypass security mechanisms or facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the framework level, meaning it can affect multiple applications and system components that rely on the media processing capabilities. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows, which describes the use of system services for information gathering and exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0850 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of Android where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security patches from Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to device security and user privacy. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring to detect suspicious media file processing activities and conducting regular security assessments of media handling components can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in system-level components, particularly those handling untrusted data from external sources.