CVE-2017-13200 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (av) related to id3 unsynchronization. Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-63100526.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2017-13200 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the audio video subsystem known as av. This issue manifests through improper handling of id3 unsynchronization within media file processing, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure. The affected Android versions include 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across multiple platform releases. The vulnerability was identified with Android ID A-63100526, highlighting its significance within the Android security ecosystem. The root cause stems from inadequate validation and processing of id3 metadata within media files, particularly when dealing with unsynchronized data structures that are commonly found in mp3 audio files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Android media framework processes malformed id3 tags containing unsynchronized data patterns. During normal operation, the system should properly parse and validate id3 metadata before presenting it to applications or storing it in memory. However, the flaw allows an attacker to craft specially formatted media files that trigger memory corruption or data leakage during the parsing process. This occurs because the framework fails to properly handle the unsynchronization mechanism that id3 tags employ to prevent certain byte sequences from appearing in the data stream. When encountering unsynchronized data, the system's buffer management and parsing routines become vulnerable to information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents including application data, system information, or other confidential resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploits. An attacker could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application state information. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Android versions means that a wide range of devices could be affected, from smartphones to tablets running these specific releases. This information disclosure capability aligns with CWE-200, which defines the weakness of exposing information to unauthorized actors, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system. The memory exposure could enable further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13200 require immediate system updates to address the underlying parsing logic in the Android media framework. Organizations should prioritize deploying the security patches released by Google for the affected Android versions, as these updates contain corrected id3 tag processing routines that properly handle unsynchronized data. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring and content filtering can help detect and prevent the delivery of malicious media files that exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms to limit the potential impact should an attacker successfully exploit the vulnerability. Regular security assessments of media processing components and comprehensive testing of file parsing routines will help identify similar issues in other parts of the system architecture, ensuring broader protection against information disclosure threats that may arise from improper data handling practices.