CVE-2017-13220 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Upstream kernel bluez. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-63527053.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13220 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android kernel's bluez Bluetooth subsystem. This issue affects the upstream kernel implementation of the bluez Bluetooth stack that Android devices utilize for wireless connectivity operations. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the kernel-level Bluetooth protocol handling, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from unprivileged user contexts to kernel-level administrative access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and access control checks within the Bluetooth subsystem's kernel drivers. Specifically, the flaw manifests when processing certain Bluetooth protocol messages or commands that are not properly sanitized before being processed by kernel components. This allows attackers to manipulate kernel data structures or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to Android devices since it enables attackers to gain complete system control without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The exploitation typically occurs through Bluetooth communication channels, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices are frequently paired with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Once successfully exploited, attackers can modify system files, install malicious applications, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all Android kernel versions that incorporate the affected bluez implementation, making it widespread across numerous device models and manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13220 require immediate implementation of security patches from device manufacturers and Google. Android security updates should be applied promptly to address the kernel-level flaw in the bluez Bluetooth stack. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous Bluetooth activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device administrators should disable Bluetooth functionality when not in use and ensure proper device pairing protocols are maintained. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security controls and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core system components that handle network communications and device interactions.