CVE-2017-13241 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android media framework (libstagefright_soft_avcenc). Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. ID: A-69065651.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13241 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright_soft_avcenc component responsible for video encoding operations. This issue resides in the stagefright media framework that processes multimedia content on Android devices, making it a fundamental component in the operating system's multimedia handling capabilities. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, making it a significant concern for device security and user privacy protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain media file structures during the encoding process, allowing maliciously crafted media files to trigger unintended information disclosure behaviors. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially formatted media content that, when processed by the affected libstagefright_soft_avcenc component, causes the system to leak sensitive memory contents or internal system information. This information disclosure can potentially include kernel memory addresses, system configuration details, or other sensitive data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the media processing pipeline, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard media playback or processing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13241 extends beyond simple information leakage, as the disclosed information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion categories. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to sensitive system information that can be used to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization or other memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability's presence in the media framework means that exploitation can occur through various attack vectors including email attachments, web content, or downloaded media files, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users frequently interact with multimedia content. This weakness contributes to the broader category of zero-day exploits that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13241 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which include updates to the stagefright media framework and related components. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected Android devices. Additionally, network administrators can deploy content filtering solutions that scan media files for known malicious patterns or suspicious structures that might trigger this vulnerability. The implementation of application sandboxing and restricted media processing permissions can further reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure events that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, aligning with ATT&CK techniques focused on credential access and defense evasion. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize rapid deployment of security updates and maintain continuous monitoring for similar vulnerabilities within the media processing components of their Android-based products.