CVE-2017-13156 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android system (art). Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID A-64211847.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13156 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android runtime system known as art. This weakness specifically affects multiple Android versions including 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The issue resides in the Android runtime component that handles application execution and memory management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. This vulnerability was assigned Android ID A-64211847, indicating its classification within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory management and object references within the art runtime, which allows attackers to manipulate system processes and gain unauthorized administrative control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue that occurs when the Android runtime processes certain object references and memory allocations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that trigger specific memory access patterns, causing the runtime to improperly handle object lifecycles and memory boundaries. This memory management flaw creates a condition where arbitrary code execution becomes possible within the system context, enabling the exploitation of system-level resources. The vulnerability operates at the core level of Android's application runtime environment, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass standard security mechanisms. The flaw essentially allows a malicious application to gain elevated privileges without proper authentication or authorization, potentially enabling full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13156 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This elevation of privilege can lead to complete device compromise, allowing malicious actors to access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, install unauthorized applications, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions, creating a broad attack surface that spans several major Android releases, making it particularly concerning for organizations and users with legacy devices. The exploitation of this flaw can result in data breaches, privacy violations, and complete loss of device control, as attackers can manipulate core system functions and access protected resources that should only be available to system processes. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of Android devices, undermining the fundamental security model that Android employs to protect user data and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13156 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should immediately install the latest security patches available for their Android devices, particularly those addressing the art runtime component. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Android devices within their environment receive timely updates. Additional protective measures include enabling security features such as exploit protection mechanisms, restricting application permissions, and implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory management and improper access to memory locations, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' in adversarial attack frameworks. Organizations should also consider network monitoring and endpoint detection solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged through malicious applications or compromised applications within the device ecosystem.