CVE-2017-13267 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In avrc_pars_vendor_cmd of avrc_pars_tg.cc, there is a possible stack corruption due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not 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-69479009.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13267 represents a critical stack corruption flaw within the Android Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) implementation. This issue exists in the avrc_pars_vendor_cmd function located in avrc_pars_tg.cc, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism is absent. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution through a remote attack vector without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location where Bluetooth communication is possible.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Bluetooth AVRCP parsing logic that handles vendor-specific commands. When processing incoming Bluetooth packets containing vendor commands, the code fails to verify that the data length parameters fall within acceptable bounds before proceeding with memory operations. This missing bounds check creates a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions 6.0 through 8.1, indicating it was present across multiple major releases and likely persisted due to the complexity of the Bluetooth stack implementation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote privilege escalation attacks that can potentially compromise the entire Android device. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Bluetooth service process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The attack surface extends to any device that supports Bluetooth connectivity and has the affected Android versions installed, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices, wearables, and IoT systems that rely on Bluetooth communication protocols. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper bounds checking, and represents a significant weakness in the Android security model that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive device functions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of privilege escalation to gain higher-level access to systems. Attackers could potentially use this flaw to install malicious applications, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised devices. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during normal Bluetooth pairing or connection processes, without the victim's knowledge or consent. Mitigation strategies should include immediate security patches from Google, which were released as part of the Android security bulletin for the affected versions, along with network-level firewalls that can restrict Bluetooth communication where possible. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Bluetooth device management policies and monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.