CVE-2017-13192 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the ihevcd_parse_slice_header function of ihevcd_parse_slice_header.c a slice address of zero after the first slice could result in an infinite loop. 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-64380202.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13192 resides within the ihevcd video decoder component of Android systems, specifically affecting the ihevcd_parse_slice_header function in the ihevcd_parse_slice_header.c source file. This flaw represents a classic infinite loop condition that can be triggered during video decoding operations, particularly when processing video streams with specific slice header configurations. The vulnerability manifests when a slice address of zero is encountered after the initial slice in a video sequence, creating a scenario where the decoder enters an unbreakable loop that consumes excessive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the slice header parsing logic. When the decoder processes video data containing a slice address set to zero following the first slice, the parsing routine fails to properly handle this edge case, causing the loop condition to remain perpetually true. This condition effectively creates a denial of service scenario where the decoding process becomes trapped in an infinite loop, consuming CPU cycles and memory resources without making meaningful progress. The flaw operates at the codec level within the Android multimedia framework, specifically affecting the HEVC (H.265) video decoding pipeline.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices as it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can target critical system processes responsible for video decoding, potentially causing complete system instability or unresponsiveness. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically when processing malicious video content, such as in email attachments, web pages, or multimedia messages.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-835, which addresses infinite loops and related issues in software implementations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service. The vulnerability can be categorized as a resource exhaustion attack that specifically targets the multimedia subsystem of Android devices. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader denial of service attack surface, particularly in environments where Android devices process untrusted video content. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting device availability and user productivity in enterprise and consumer settings.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of the Android security patches released by Google to address this specific vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the security updates across all affected Android versions to prevent exploitation. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious video content to Android devices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation and proper edge case handling in multimedia codecs, particularly when dealing with user-supplied content that may contain malformed or malicious data structures.