CVE-2017-0871 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android framework (framework base). Product: Android. Versions: 8.0. Android ID A-65281159.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0871 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android framework base component that affects Android 8.0 systems. This vulnerability resides in the core Android operating system framework and specifically impacts the system's ability to properly enforce security boundaries between different application contexts and system services. The flaw allows malicious applications or attackers with local system access to escalate their privileges from regular application level to system level, potentially gaining unauthorized control over critical system resources and functionalities. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they undermine the fundamental security model of the Android platform, which relies on strict isolation between applications and system components to maintain overall system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the Android framework's permission handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious system calls or manipulating specific framework interfaces that should normally be restricted to system-level processes only. The flaw specifically relates to how the system validates and processes privilege escalation requests, allowing unauthorized entities to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability typically manifests when the system fails to properly verify the authenticity or authorization status of requests attempting to perform privileged operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute code with higher privileges than initially intended. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0871 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, install malicious applications, and potentially compromise the entire device. Once elevated to system privileges, an attacker can manipulate core Android services, access encrypted data storage, monitor network communications, and establish persistent backdoors on the device. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Android devices may contain sensitive corporate data and where the compromise of a single device could potentially lead to broader network infiltration. The vulnerability affects the Android framework base which serves as the foundation for all system-level operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking comprehensive system control. The Android ID A-65281159 indicates this was tracked through Google's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting its significance in the Android security ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0871 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Android 8.0 security patches that address this specific vulnerability and ensure all devices are updated to the latest available versions. System administrators should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and regularly audit device configurations to identify potential exploitation attempts. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized system modifications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, making it a critical target for defensive security measures. Additional protective measures include implementing mobile device management solutions, conducting regular security assessments, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.