CVE-2017-13183 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the OMXNodeInstance::useBuffer and IOMX::freeBuffer functions, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition if the user frees the buffer while it's being used in another thread. This could lead to a local elevation of privilege enabling code execution as a privileged process with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 8.1. Android ID: A-38118127.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13183 resides within the OpenMAX IL (OMX) component of Android 8.1 systems, specifically affecting the OMXNodeInstance::useBuffer and IOMX::freeBuffer function implementations. This represents a critical race condition flaw that manifests when multiple threads attempt concurrent access to shared buffer resources within the multimedia framework. The underlying issue stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms that fail to prevent simultaneous buffer allocation and deallocation operations across different execution contexts. The flaw is categorized under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software development, where two or more threads access shared data concurrently, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security implications. The vulnerability exists within the Android media subsystem's OMX framework, which serves as the foundation for multimedia processing components including audio and video decoding and encoding operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully orchestrated sequence where one thread invokes the useBuffer function to acquire a buffer for processing while another thread simultaneously calls freeBuffer to release the same buffer resource. This race condition creates a window where the buffer memory may be freed and potentially reallocated while still being referenced by the active processing thread, resulting in a use-after-free condition. The memory corruption that ensues can be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the multimedia service process, which typically operates with elevated permissions within the Android security model. The Android security architecture relies on proper memory management and thread synchronization to maintain isolation between different security contexts, and this flaw directly undermines those protections. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, typically through the delivery of malicious media content or manipulation of multimedia applications that trigger the affected code paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to compromise the integrity of the Android multimedia framework and potentially escalate to full system control. The affected functions operate within the privileged context of the Android media services, meaning successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute code with system-level privileges without requiring additional attack vectors or user privileges. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper concurrent programming practices in security-sensitive components, particularly within operating system frameworks that handle multimedia processing. The flaw affects the fundamental architecture of Android's media subsystem, where the OMX interface serves as a critical bridge between applications and hardware-accelerated multimedia processing capabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be classified under T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain higher-level access within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13183 require both immediate patch deployment and architectural improvements to prevent similar race conditions in the multimedia subsystem. Android security updates addressed this vulnerability by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms around buffer management operations, ensuring that useBuffer and freeBuffer functions maintain atomic operations when accessing shared resources. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android security patch released in the corresponding security bulletin, as this vulnerability represents a significant risk to device security and system integrity. The fix involves introducing mutex locks or other synchronization primitives to prevent concurrent access to buffer resources during critical operations, ensuring that buffer deallocation cannot occur while active processing is in progress. Additionally, developers should conduct thorough code reviews of concurrent operations within multimedia frameworks and implement proper resource lifecycle management to prevent similar issues in custom implementations. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of rigorous testing for race conditions in security-critical components and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent memory safety issues in multi-threaded environments.