CVE-2017-0851 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (libhevc). 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-35430570.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0851 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libhevc library responsible for handling high efficiency video coding. This vulnerability manifests in Android versions ranging from 5.0.2 through 8.0, indicating a substantial attack surface spanning multiple major releases. The Android ID A-35430570 further emphasizes the severity and widespread impact of this issue within the mobile platform ecosystem. The flaw resides in the media framework's processing of HEVC video streams, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure that could compromise user privacy and system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the libhevc library implementation. When processing maliciously crafted HEVC video files, the framework fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation parameters, leading to information leakage through memory corruption vulnerabilities. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the media framework's handling of video data, potentially allowing them to read sensitive memory contents that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The flaw essentially creates a window through which attackers can extract confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions, including potentially sensitive user data, system credentials, or application information.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0851 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential footholds for more sophisticated attacks within the Android environment. This vulnerability can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including but not limited to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059, which involves execution through command and scripting interpreters, and T1005, which covers data from local system. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to access information that could be used for further compromise, including but not limited to application data, user credentials, or system configuration details. The widespread adoption of affected Android versions means that a significant number of devices could be vulnerable, creating substantial risk for both individual users and enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0851 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and end users. The primary recommendation involves applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates, which specifically address the memory handling issues within the libhevc library. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies ensuring all affected devices receive timely updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly when users access media content from untrusted sources. Security teams should also review and harden media processing configurations, potentially disabling HEVC decoding where not essential, and implementing strict content filtering mechanisms for media files. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through social engineering campaigns targeting media file downloads, making user education and awareness programs critical components of the overall security posture.