CVE-2017-13166 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the kernel v4l2 video driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID A-34624167.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13166 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android kernel's v4l2 video driver implementation. This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel version 4.4 and affects Android devices that utilize the Video4Linux2 (v4l2) subsystem for video processing operations. The issue stems from improper validation of user-supplied data within kernel space, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges from user-level execution to kernel-level operations. The v4l2 driver is responsible for handling video capture and output operations on Android devices, making it a critical component for multimedia functionality across various device types including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms. This flaw specifically manifests when the kernel processes certain ioctl (input/output control) commands that are used to configure video devices, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overflow condition within the kernel's v4l2 subsystem handling code. When a malicious application issues specific ioctl commands with crafted parameters to the v4l2 driver, it can overwrite kernel memory locations that should remain protected from user-space modification. This memory corruption leads to arbitrary code execution within kernel context, enabling attackers to bypass standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies and other mandatory access controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is particularly dangerous because it allows for direct manipulation of kernel execution flow. The flaw is further characterized by its potential to be exploited through the Android Binder IPC mechanism, which is commonly used by applications to communicate with system services, making the attack surface more accessible to malicious actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device security and user privacy. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain root access to the device, allowing them to modify system files, install malicious applications, access encrypted data, and potentially extract sensitive information from the device. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise as it affects the entire Android ecosystem, particularly devices running kernel versions 4.4 and earlier where the vulnerability remains unpatched. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, modify system integrity checks, and undermine the security model that Android relies upon for protecting user data and application isolation. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through remote attack vectors such as malicious applications downloaded from third-party app stores or through phishing attacks that trick users into installing compromised software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13166 primarily focus on applying the appropriate kernel security patches released by Google and device manufacturers. Android security updates should be applied immediately to all affected devices, particularly those running kernel versions 4.4 and earlier where the vulnerability remains present. Device manufacturers must ensure proper kernel hardening measures including stack canaries, kernel address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques that make successful exploitation more difficult. Network administrators and security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices within kernel drivers, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and memory management. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, enhanced monitoring of kernel-level activities, and regular security assessments of Android device configurations to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel components that handle user input.