CVE-2017-13157 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android system (activitymanagerservice). Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. Android ID A-32990341.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13157 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android operating system's ActivityManagerService component. This issue resides in the core system service responsible for managing application activities and process lifecycle within the Android framework. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions 5.1.1 through 8.0, encompassing a significant portion of the mobile platform's user base. The Android ID A-32990341 further contextualizes this flaw within the platform's security tracking system, indicating its recognition and documentation by Google's security team. This information disclosure vulnerability manifests through improper handling of sensitive data within the system's activity management processes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the ActivityManagerService implementation. When applications interact with the system's activity management functions, the service fails to properly validate or restrict access to sensitive information that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This flaw allows malicious applications or processes to potentially extract confidential data that would normally be restricted to system-level components or specific applications with appropriate permissions. The vulnerability operates at the system service level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or root access. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for information leakage through improper data handling within the Android framework's core services.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13157 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to gather sensitive information about running applications, system processes, or user activities. This information disclosure could facilitate further exploitation attempts by providing attackers with insights into the system's internal state, application configurations, or process relationships. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Android versions means that a substantial number of devices could be affected, potentially compromising user privacy and system integrity. Security researchers have noted that such information disclosure vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, as the leaked data can be used to craft targeted exploits against other system components. The flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to the latest Android versions that contain the fix for this specific issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies to ensure timely deployment of security patches across enterprise devices. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful monitoring of application behavior and system logs for unusual access patterns. Additionally, implementing network-based monitoring solutions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and penetration testing procedures, particularly when evaluating the security posture of Android-based systems. The remediation process should include verification that the patched versions properly address the information disclosure mechanisms within ActivityManagerService. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how system-level flaws can impact the entire Android ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing measures and access control policies to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.