CVE-2017-13173 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek system server. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID A-28067350. References: M-ALPS02672361.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13173 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the MediaTek system server component of Android devices. This weakness resides in the Android kernel and affects MediaTek-based smartphones and tablets that incorporate the MediaTek system server functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the system server implementation, allowing malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The issue manifests through a flaw in how the system server handles certain privileged operations, creating an avenue for unauthorized code execution with elevated permissions. This particular vulnerability was tracked under Android ID A-28067350 and referenced in MediaTek ALPS02672361, indicating its origin within MediaTek's proprietary system server implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a privilege escalation vector that leverages weaknesses in the kernel's privilege management system. Specifically, the MediaTek system server fails to properly validate input parameters or enforce proper access controls when processing certain system calls or inter-process communications. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this oversight to gain unauthorized access to system-level resources and capabilities. The flaw typically involves improper handling of kernel-level operations where legitimate system server processes are not adequately protected from unauthorized modification or manipulation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-276 category of incorrect access control, which specifically addresses improper privilege management and access control enforcement within system components. The underlying mechanism often involves bypassing security checks that should prevent unprivileged processes from executing privileged operations or accessing protected system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13173 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables comprehensive system compromise and persistent access. Once exploited, attackers can install malicious applications with system-level privileges, modify core system files, and establish backdoors for continued access. This vulnerability affects device security at the foundational level, potentially compromising all user data, communication channels, and device functionality. The implications are particularly severe for mobile devices where users store sensitive personal information, financial data, and corporate credentials. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete device compromise, enabling attackers to perform actions such as data exfiltration, remote code execution, and persistent surveillance. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and enables access to system resources through the use of kernel-level exploits. The impact affects multiple attack vectors including malware installation, data theft, and device takeover, making it a significant concern for both individual users and enterprise security teams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions and MediaTek system server implementations. Device manufacturers must ensure proper firmware updates are deployed to address the privilege escalation flaw, particularly for devices running Android versions prior to the patched releases. System administrators should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper access controls are maintained. The vulnerability requires kernel-level patches that address the improper access control mechanisms within the MediaTek system server, typically involving enhanced input validation and proper privilege enforcement. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices and implement appropriate security controls. Additionally, users should be advised to maintain current software updates and avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit this weakness. Security researchers recommend implementing runtime protection mechanisms and enhanced monitoring of system server processes to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must address both the immediate security gap and ensure proper access control enforcement throughout the system server architecture to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations.