CVE-2017-13194 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Android media framework (libvpx) related to odd frame width. Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-64710201.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13194 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Android media framework's libvpx library, specifically triggered by processing video frames with odd width dimensions. This flaw exists in the VP8 video codec implementation that Android devices use for multimedia processing, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of affected Android versions. The vulnerability was discovered through careful analysis of how the media framework handles variable frame dimensions during video decoding operations, where improper bounds checking leads to memory corruption. The affected Android versions 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1 all contain this flaw in their media processing pipelines, creating a broad attack surface across multiple Android releases. This issue falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of buffer dimensions, and specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates through the Android media framework's video decoding path where the libvpx library processes incoming video streams without adequate validation of frame width parameters, particularly when these dimensions are odd numbers that can cause mathematical calculations to exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious video file containing specifically sized frame dimensions that trigger the buffer overflow condition within the libvpx library. During normal video decoding operations, the system allocates memory buffers based on expected frame dimensions, but when odd width values are encountered, the mathematical calculations used to determine buffer offsets can result in writing beyond the allocated memory space. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media framework process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to handle multimedia operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal media playback scenarios, making it possible for attackers to exploit this vulnerability simply by convincing a user to play a malicious video file. The exploit requires no special user interaction beyond opening the media file, as the vulnerability is triggered during the automatic decoding process initiated by the Android media framework. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the media framework's execution environment where the buffer overflow occurs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect large-scale deployments across enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations using Android devices for business operations face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data through media playback activities. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions means that even devices thought to be updated may still contain the flaw, creating a complex remediation challenge for system administrators. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be particularly difficult to detect through standard security scanning tools because it only manifests during specific video processing operations, making it harder to identify in routine security assessments. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete device compromise, data exfiltration, and potential persistence mechanisms that allow attackers to maintain access to affected systems. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in the core media framework means that it affects not just individual applications but the entire Android operating system's multimedia processing capabilities, potentially enabling attackers to bypass traditional application-level security controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling problematic media playback features, updating to patched Android versions, and monitoring for suspicious media file activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.