CVE-2017-0853 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (n/a). Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-63121644.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0853 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework that affects multiple versions of the operating system including Android 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0. This vulnerability resides in the core media processing components that handle audio and video content, specifically impacting how the system manages media file operations and memory allocation. The issue stems from improper handling of certain media file structures that allows malicious actors to extract sensitive information from the device through crafted media files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the system level within the media framework, which is extensively utilized by various applications and system services, creating multiple potential attack vectors. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the Android security model where media processing components fail to properly validate input data, leading to potential exposure of confidential information stored within the device's memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific flaw in how the Android media framework processes certain media file headers and metadata structures. When the system encounters malformed or specially crafted media files, the framework's parsing mechanisms fail to properly validate the input data, resulting in information leakage through memory corruption or improper error handling. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and relates to situations where sensitive information is unintentionally disclosed to unauthorized actors. The flaw typically manifests when applications or system services attempt to process media files through the Android media framework, causing the system to expose memory contents or internal system information that should remain protected. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to extract information from the target environment, and specifically maps to the information gathering phase of attack chains.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0853 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could lead to privilege escalation or further system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data such as memory addresses, system configuration information, or other confidential data that could aid in developing more advanced exploits. The vulnerability affects the core media processing capabilities of Android devices, meaning that any application or service that utilizes media file processing could potentially be exploited, including messaging applications, media players, and even system-level components that handle multimedia content. The exposure of memory contents through this flaw could reveal critical information about the device's operating system version, memory layout, or security configurations that would otherwise remain hidden from attackers. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could be used to craft more targeted attacks against the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0853 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Android security patches released by Google that address the specific memory handling issues within the media framework. Organizations and users should ensure that all affected Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those addressing Android ID A-63121644. Additionally, implementing network-level controls to restrict media file downloads from untrusted sources can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual media processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while application sandboxing can limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in system-level components, and organizations should review their security practices to ensure that similar flaws are not present in other media processing components. Network segmentation and user access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from any exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that the media framework components are properly configured and patched against known vulnerabilities.