CVE-2017-13248 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In impeg2_idct_recon_sse42() of impeg2_idct_recon_sse42_intr.c, there is an out of bound write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to an remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-70349612.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13248 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the MPEG-2 decoder component of Android operating systems. This issue exists in the impeg2_idct_recon_sse42() function located in the impeg2_idct_recon_sse42_intr.c source file, which is part of the multimedia processing pipeline responsible for handling MPEG-2 video decoding operations. The vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check that fails to validate array indices before writing data to memory locations, creating a potential pathway for malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, which defines weaknesses related to insufficient boundary checking in software systems. This particular flaw demonstrates how multimedia decoding components can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent. The function processes video frame reconstructions using SSE4.2 instruction set optimizations, but fails to validate the range of indices used during the inverse discrete cosine transform reconstruction process. When malformed video data is processed through this vulnerable code path, the absence of bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers or control data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it enables remote code execution without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond the initial delivery of malicious content. This makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently encounter multimedia content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread exposure across the Android ecosystem. The Android ID A-70349612 confirms this was a recognized security issue that required patching across the platform's affected releases.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of multimedia decoding components for executing malicious code. The exploitation requires user interaction to deliver malicious video content, typically through email attachments, web browsing, or instant messaging applications. However, once the malicious content is processed by the vulnerable MPEG-2 decoder, the out-of-bounds write can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations and redirect execution flow. The lack of additional privilege requirements makes this particularly concerning as it can be exploited by attackers who do not need to escalate their privileges or gain root access to the device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. System administrators and device users should ensure that all affected Android versions receive the appropriate updates that include bounds checking mechanisms in the MPEG-2 decoder. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect and block potentially malicious video content, particularly when it originates from untrusted sources. The fix typically involves adding proper array bounds validation before memory writes occur, ensuring that all indices used in the impeg2_idct_recon_sse42() function are properly validated against the allocated array dimensions. This remediation approach addresses the root cause of the vulnerability by preventing the out-of-bounds memory access that leads to the potential code execution scenario.