CVE-2017-13236 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the KeyStore service, there is a permissions bypass that allows access to protected resources. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with system execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-68217699.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13236 represents a critical permissions bypass flaw within Android's KeyStore service implementation. This vulnerability affects Android versions 8.0 and 8.1, specifically targeting the system's cryptographic key management infrastructure. The KeyStore service serves as a fundamental component for storing cryptographic keys and certificates, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges within the Android operating system. The flaw stems from improper access control mechanisms that fail to adequately validate user permissions when accessing protected cryptographic resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by malicious applications already present on the device. The vulnerability specifically affects the KeyStore service's permission checking logic, where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for sensitive cryptographic operations. This flaw enables an attacker to bypass the normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to protected keys and certificates, effectively granting malicious code elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13236 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive cryptographic material that may include application keys, user credentials, or other protected data. This vulnerability allows for potential data theft, identity impersonation, and unauthorized access to secure application functionalities. The lack of user interaction requirement means that exploitation can occur silently in the background, making detection particularly challenging for end users and security monitoring systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on implementing proper system updates and patches provided by Google for affected Android versions. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security patches and maintain updated device management policies to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary fixes. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for exploitation in targeted attacks against specific devices or user groups, emphasizing the importance of proactive security measures. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual KeyStore access patterns and maintain robust device security policies that include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation vectors. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation mechanisms can help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities even when present in the system.