CVE-2017-13196 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In several places in ihevcd_decode.c, a dead loop could occur due to incomplete frames which could lead to memory leaks. 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-63522067.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13196 resides within the ihevcd_decode.c component of Android's media framework, specifically affecting versions ranging from 5.1.1 through 8.1. This issue manifests as a potential dead loop condition that occurs when processing incomplete video frames during decoding operations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-835 which defines the weakness of infinite loops or iterations without proper termination conditions. The vulnerability affects the hardware video decoder implementation that handles H.264 video streams, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of video playback functionality in mobile devices.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper handling of frame boundaries and buffer management during video decoding processes. When the decoder encounters incomplete frames that do not conform to expected formatting standards, the control flow within the ihevcd_decode.c file can enter an infinite loop where the decoding process repeatedly attempts to process the same malformed frame without progressing to the next frame or properly terminating the decoding operation. This condition directly leads to memory allocation exhaustion and potential system resource depletion, as the decoder continues to consume memory without releasing previously allocated buffers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level within critical processes that handle multimedia content, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise entire system stability and availability. An attacker could remotely trigger this condition by sending specially crafted video content to a vulnerable Android device, causing the affected system process to consume excessive CPU and memory resources until the device becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely. This represents a significant threat to mobile device security since no user interaction is required for exploitation, and the attack can be executed through various vectors including email attachments, web content, or malicious applications. The vulnerability affects all supported Android versions, creating a substantial attack surface across multiple generations of mobile operating systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1059.007 for the execution of malicious code through system processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Android security updates, as the fix involves correcting the frame boundary checking and loop termination conditions within the video decoder component. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to the latest security patches released by Google, particularly focusing on versions 7.0 and above where the vulnerability was most prevalent. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to block potentially malicious video content and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can automatically apply security patches. Additionally, developers should enhance input validation for multimedia content and implement proper timeout mechanisms for decoding operations to prevent similar issues in future implementations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust buffer management and loop termination validation in multimedia processing components, as outlined in the OWASP secure coding practices and the CERT secure coding standards for embedded systems and mobile platforms.