CVE-2017-0860 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system (inputdispatcher). Product: Android. Versions: 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2. Android ID: A-31097064.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0860 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android operating system's inputdispatcher component. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple versions of Android including 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, and 7.1.2, making it a widespread concern across a significant portion of the Android ecosystem. The inputdispatcher is responsible for managing input events and dispatching them to appropriate applications, making it a crucial component in the Android framework's interaction with user input devices. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of input events that allows malicious applications to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system-level functionality.
This security flaw operates at the system level within the Android framework, specifically targeting the inputdispatcher module that processes and routes input events from hardware devices to applications. The technical implementation involves a privilege escalation mechanism that enables a malicious application to manipulate the input event processing pipeline and subsequently execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269 as a "Privilege Escalation" issue, where the flaw allows an attacker to gain higher privileges than initially granted to the application. The inputdispatcher component's design flaw creates a pathway for unauthorized code execution that bypasses normal Android security boundaries and access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0860 is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to achieve full system compromise through seemingly benign applications. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete device takeover, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The attack vector typically involves installing a malicious application that leverages the inputdispatcher vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain root access to the device. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Port Knocking" and privilege escalation methods that exploit system-level components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching and system updates from Google as part of their regular security updates. Android users and administrators should ensure all devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those released in the Android security bulletin for 2017. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure input event handling and proper privilege boundaries within system-level components. Organizations should implement robust application vetting processes and avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit such system-level flaws. Additionally, mobile device management solutions should be configured to enforce automatic security updates and maintain compliance with security best practices. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar privilege escalation pathways within mobile operating systems.