CVE-2017-13191 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the ihevcd_decode function of ihevcd_decode.c, there is an infinite loop due to an incomplete frame error. This could lead to a remote denial of service of a critical system process with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-64380403.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13191 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw affecting multiple Android versions including 5.1.1 through 8.1. This issue resides within the ihevcd_decode function of the ihevcd_decode.c file, which is part of the Android media framework responsible for decoding video content. The flaw manifests as an infinite loop condition that occurs when processing incomplete video frames, creating a scenario where a maliciously crafted video file can cause the affected system process to become unresponsive indefinitely. The vulnerability's classification as a remote denial of service means that an attacker can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where Android devices process untrusted multimedia content. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation further amplifies the threat, as the vulnerability can be triggered automatically when devices encounter malicious video content during normal operation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the video decoding process. When the ihevcd_decode function encounters an incomplete frame error, the error handling mechanism fails to properly terminate the decoding loop, resulting in an infinite execution path that consumes system resources indefinitely. This type of flaw falls under CWE-835, which specifically addresses the issue of infinite loops or iterations without proper termination conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and error recovery, where the decoder does not adequately check for frame completeness before proceeding with decoding operations. The flaw affects the critical system process responsible for video decoding, meaning that exploitation can potentially bring down core multimedia functionality on affected devices, rendering them unable to process video content until the system is rebooted or the process is manually terminated.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13191 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can compromise the overall stability and availability of Android devices. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause system processes to hang indefinitely, potentially leading to device freezes, crashes, or complete system unresponsiveness. In mobile environments, this could result in users being unable to access their devices for extended periods, particularly when the vulnerability is triggered during video playback or when devices automatically process multimedia content. The vulnerability affects all Android versions from 5.1.1 through 8.1, representing a broad attack surface across multiple generations of Android operating systems. From an attacker perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves denial of service attacks targeting system resources, making it a particularly attractive target for adversaries seeking to disrupt device functionality without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a significant concern for enterprise environments where Android devices are widely deployed and where maintaining system availability is critical for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13191 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The primary solution involves applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the underlying error handling issue in the ihevcd_decode function. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to the latest security patches, particularly those running versions 5.1.1 through 8.1. Additionally, implementing content filtering mechanisms that scan and validate multimedia files before processing can provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation. Network administrators should consider deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate multimedia processing to prevent the infinite loop from affecting critical system processes. From a defensive standpoint, monitoring system resource consumption for unusual patterns, particularly CPU usage spikes during video processing, can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust error handling and input validation in multimedia processing components, as similar flaws may exist in other parts of the Android media framework or related system components. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments focusing on media processing libraries to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.