CVE-2017-0858 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Another vulnerability in the Android media framework (n/a). Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID: A-64836894.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
This vulnerability resides within the Android media framework and represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0. The issue stems from improper handling of media files during processing, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability was identified through Android bug tracking system with identifier A-64836894, indicating its severity and the attention it received from Google's security team.
The technical flaw manifests in the way the Android media framework processes certain media files, particularly those containing malformed or specially crafted data structures. This processing error creates memory corruption opportunities that could be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The vulnerability operates at the framework level, meaning it affects the core media processing capabilities that applications rely upon for handling audio and video content. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by delivering malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows for complete system compromise when successfully exploited. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive device data, execute malicious code with system-level privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Android devices handle confidential information or operate in security-sensitive contexts. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions simultaneously, indicating a fundamental flaw in the media processing code that was not adequately addressed through previous security updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the latest security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and individual users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest Android versions that contain fixes for this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network-level security measures such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. Security professionals should monitor for any related vulnerabilities in the Android media framework and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted media content. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and memory management errors, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through system-level vulnerabilities.