CVE-2017-13286 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In writeToParcel and readFromParcel of OutputConfiguration.java, there is a permission bypass due to mismatched serialization. This could lead to a local escalation of privilege where the user can start an activity with system privileges, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-69683251.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13286 represents a critical permission bypass flaw within the Android operating system's serialization mechanisms, specifically affecting Android 8.0 and 8.1 versions. This issue resides in the OutputConfiguration.java file within the Android framework, where the writeToParcel and readFromParcel methods demonstrate a fundamental mismatch in their serialization handling. The flaw stems from improper validation during the parceling process, which allows unauthorized applications to manipulate serialized data structures and potentially escalate their privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability operates at the core of Android's inter-process communication system, where the serialization mechanism should enforce strict permission boundaries but fails to do so properly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a mismatch between how data is written to and read from parcelable objects, creating a scenario where malicious applications can craft specially formatted parcelable data that bypasses normal permission checks. When an application attempts to serialize an OutputConfiguration object using writeToParcel, the system does not properly validate the permissions associated with the data being serialized. Subsequently, when readFromParcel reconstructs this data, the system fails to verify that the calling application has the necessary privileges to access the reconstructed data. This mismatch creates a window where an attacker can manipulate the serialized data to include system-level privileges, effectively allowing any application to execute code with elevated permissions without requiring additional privileges or user interaction. The flaw directly relates to CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in privilege management, and represents a classic example of a serialization-based privilege escalation vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13286 is severe as it enables local privilege escalation without any user interaction requirements, making it particularly dangerous for mobile environments where applications may have varying levels of trust. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to start activities with system privileges, effectively breaking down the security boundaries that separate user applications from system services. This could potentially allow malicious actors to access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, or even install persistent backdoors on affected devices. The vulnerability affects all applications running on Android 8.0 and 8.1, representing a widespread risk across numerous devices and applications that rely on the Android framework's serialization mechanisms. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur automatically when the affected applications are running, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and devices that may not receive timely security updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper serialization validation mechanisms and ensuring that all parcelable objects undergo strict permission checks during both serialization and deserialization processes. Android security patches addressing this issue typically involve modifying the writeToParcel and readFromParcel methods to enforce proper permission validation and prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Organizations should ensure immediate deployment of the relevant Android security updates, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious applications or compromised app installations. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security monitoring to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in serialization frameworks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. Additionally, this flaw emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of serialization mechanisms and proper adherence to security best practices in mobile application development.