CVE-2017-13243 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android system (ui). Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0. ID: A-38258991.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13243 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android user interface subsystem that affects multiple versions of the operating system. This weakness resides in the system's handling of sensitive data within the graphical user interface components, specifically impacting how the Android framework manages and displays information to users. The vulnerability was tracked under internal Android ID A-38258991 and affects Android versions 5.1.1 through 8.0, indicating a broad impact across several major releases. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls within the UI rendering mechanisms that process user interactions and system notifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Android system's user interface layer where malicious actors can exploit improper handling of data structures during UI component rendering. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to access sensitive information that should remain protected within the system's security boundaries. The flaw manifests when the Android framework fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to certain data elements during the display process, allowing unauthorized information retrieval through carefully crafted user interactions or system events. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper handling of sensitive data within system interfaces. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially extract confidential information that should be protected by the Android security model, including but not limited to system metadata, user session data, or application-specific information.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13243 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the Android ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive user data, system configuration details, or application state information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. This weakness particularly affects the integrity of Android's user interface security model and could enable adversaries to bypass normal access controls that protect sensitive system components. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its presence across multiple Android versions, meaning that a significant portion of devices running these operating system releases remain susceptible to exploitation. Security researchers have noted that this type of information disclosure vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Android devices to the latest security patches released by Google, particularly focusing on the Android versions 5.1.1 through 8.0 where the vulnerability exists. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper access controls to limit information exposure within the Android environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper access control implementation within system interfaces, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery and T1005 for data from local system. Additionally, device manufacturers should ensure that their security update mechanisms are functioning properly and that users are promptly notified of critical security vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the Android UI framework and other system components that might present similar information disclosure risks.