CVE-2017-13257 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In bta_pan_data_buf_ind_cback of bta_pan_act.cc there is a use after free that can result in an out of bounds read of memory allocated via malloc. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-67110692.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13257 represents a critical use after free condition within the Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network) implementation of Android systems. This flaw exists in the bta_pan_data_buf_ind_cback function located in the bta_pan_act.cc source file, where improper memory management leads to a situation where freed memory locations are accessed after deallocation. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions ranging from 5.1.1 through 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across multiple generations of the mobile operating system. The use after free condition occurs when the system attempts to read from memory that has already been released through malloc allocation, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations may access invalid memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to perform a specific action that triggers the problematic code path. This typically involves initiating Bluetooth communication or connecting to a malicious Bluetooth device that can trigger the memory corruption. The out of bounds read operation that results from this use after free condition can lead to information disclosure, where sensitive data from adjacent memory locations may be read and potentially exposed to unauthorized parties. This information disclosure occurs without requiring additional execution privileges, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited through standard user interactions rather than requiring elevated privileges or specialized attack vectors.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions in software development. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could potentially be leveraged in subsequent attack phases, though the current exploit requires user interaction to trigger. The impact of information disclosure through this vulnerability could expose sensitive data including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. The fact that this affects the Bluetooth PAN implementation means that any device with Bluetooth capabilities running the affected Android versions could be compromised, making it a significant concern for mobile device security. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free indicates that proper memory management practices were not adequately implemented in the Bluetooth PAN subsystem, highlighting potential code quality issues in the Android framework's Bluetooth implementation.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the security patches provided by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest Android version that includes the fix for this specific vulnerability. Organizations managing Android devices should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction provides a potential defense in depth opportunity, as users can be educated about the risks of connecting to unknown Bluetooth devices or accepting pairing requests from untrusted sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in mobile operating systems and highlights the critical need for thorough code review and security testing of system-level components that handle user interaction.