CVE-2017-1000498 in AndroidSVG
Summary
by MITRE
AndroidSVG version 1.2.2 is vulnerable to XXE attacks in the SVG parsing component resulting in denial of service and possibly remote code execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000498 affects AndroidSVG version 1.2.2 and represents a significant security flaw in the SVG parsing component that exposes applications to XML External Entity processing attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the AndroidSVG library which is commonly used for rendering scalable vector graphics within Android applications, making it a critical concern for mobile application security. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the SVG parsing functionality through maliciously crafted external entity references that can be embedded within SVG files, creating a potential attack vector that extends beyond simple denial of service to include remote code execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the SVG parsing engine of AndroidSVG. When the library processes SVG files containing malicious external entity declarations, it fails to properly restrict access to external resources or disable external entity resolution, enabling attackers to craft SVG files that reference external resources or execute arbitrary commands. This behavior aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes insecure direct object references in XML processing, and represents a classic example of XML External Entity processing vulnerabilities. The parsing component does not implement proper security controls such as disabling external entity resolution or restricting access to local file systems, allowing the XML parser to resolve external references and potentially execute malicious code on the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential full system compromise, particularly when applications using AndroidSVG process untrusted SVG content from web sources or user uploads. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform denial of service attacks by consuming system resources through recursive entity references, or more critically, execute arbitrary code on affected devices through carefully crafted SVG files that exploit the XML parser's external entity resolution capabilities. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile applications that allow users to upload or download SVG graphics, creating a persistent threat vector for attackers who can craft malicious SVG content to target vulnerable applications. The remote code execution capability places this vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting Android application execution through XML parsing vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000498 require immediate action to upgrade the AndroidSVG library to version 1.2.3 or later, which includes proper XML external entity handling and disables external entity resolution by default. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all SVG content processed by applications, including the implementation of strict XML parsing configurations that disable external entity processing and DTD resolution. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to external resources and employ static application security testing tools to identify potential SVG processing vulnerabilities within applications. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices by ensuring that XML parsers are configured with appropriate security settings and that all external entity references are properly validated and sanitized before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper XML security configuration and highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and patch management processes to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other XML processing components.