CVE-2017-0859 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. Android ID: A-36075131.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0859 represents a critical flaw within the Android media framework that affects specific versions of the operating system. This issue resides in the underlying multimedia processing components that handle various media file formats and streaming protocols. The vulnerability was discovered through comprehensive security analysis of the Android platform's media handling mechanisms and specifically targets the way the system processes certain media data structures. Android versions 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2 are all impacted by this weakness, indicating a widespread exposure across the Nougat release line. The vulnerability number A-36075131 assigned by Google's security team provides internal tracking reference for this particular flaw within their vulnerability management system.
The technical root cause of CVE-2017-0859 stems from improper input validation within the media framework's parsing routines. When the system encounters specially crafted media files or streams, the parsing logic fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation parameters. This insufficient validation creates opportunities for memory corruption conditions that can be exploited through carefully constructed malicious media content. The flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of media metadata or embedded content within multimedia files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-known class of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this condition to execute malicious code with the privileges of the media processing service, potentially compromising the entire device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback scenarios, as it can be triggered through various media consumption pathways within the Android ecosystem. Users may encounter exploitation when viewing malicious images, playing compromised audio files, or streaming content from untrusted sources. The attack surface includes both local and remote exploitation vectors, as the vulnerability can be triggered through downloaded content or network-based media streams. The privilege escalation potential means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated system access, potentially leading to full device compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, as exploitation often involves crafting malicious media content that triggers the vulnerable code path. The impact severity classification indicates this vulnerability could enable persistent backdoor access to affected devices, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and personal users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0859 focus primarily on immediate system updates and user behavior modifications. Android security patches released by Google address this vulnerability through improved input validation and memory management routines within the media framework. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the latest security updates for Android 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2 devices, as these patches contain the necessary fixes to prevent exploitation. Users should avoid downloading media content from untrusted sources and refrain from opening suspicious email attachments containing media files. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block potentially malicious media content at network boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in mobile platforms, particularly regarding buffer management and input validation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual media processing activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a common attack vector for mobile device compromise. Regular security assessments of mobile device configurations help identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches to address this vulnerability.