CVE-2017-13240 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android framework (crypto framework). Product: Android. Versions: 8.0, 8.1. ID: A-68694819.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13240 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android cryptographic framework affecting versions 8.0 and 8.1. This weakness resides in the system's handling of cryptographic operations and exposes sensitive data through improper access controls. The issue manifests when the Android framework fails to adequately protect cryptographic keys and sensitive information during processing, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to extract confidential data.
This vulnerability operates at the core of Android's security architecture where cryptographic operations are performed, specifically within the framework's key management and data protection mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthorized access to cryptographic materials through improper privilege escalation or insufficient validation of access requests. The vulnerability stems from inadequate separation between different security domains within the Android system, enabling information leakage that violates fundamental security principles. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a direct violation of data confidentiality requirements.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13240 extends beyond simple data leakage, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks such as key extraction, cryptographic key compromise, and sensitive data retrieval. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access encrypted data, compromise cryptographic operations, and potentially escalate privileges within the Android environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the cryptographic framework and undermines the trust model that Android relies upon for secure operations. From an ATT&CK perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the system's cryptographic infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates from Google. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious access patterns and cryptographic operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should enforce strict access controls and regularly audit cryptographic key usage within the Android environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security boundary enforcement and demonstrates the critical need for robust cryptographic implementation practices. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit potential attack surface and regular security assessments of cryptographic implementations. The fix typically involves strengthening access controls within the crypto framework and ensuring proper validation of all cryptographic operation requests. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for mobile platforms.