CVE-2017-13289 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In writeToParcel and createFromParcel of RttManager.java, there is a permission bypass due to a write size mismatch. This could lead to a local escalation of privileges 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: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-70398564.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13289 represents a critical permission bypass flaw within the Android operating system's network management components, specifically affecting the RttManager.java implementation. This issue resides in the inter-process communication mechanisms that handle ranging technology measurements, which are essential for location-based services and network performance monitoring. The flaw manifests in the writeToParcel and createFromParcel methods, which are fundamental components of Android's parcelable interface used for serializing and deserializing objects across process boundaries. These methods are responsible for preparing data structures for transmission between different application components and system services, making them crucial points of security control within the Android framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a write size mismatch that occurs during the serialization and deserialization processes of RttManager objects. When the system attempts to write data to a parcel structure using writeToParcel, the implementation incorrectly calculates or handles the size of data being written, while the corresponding createFromParcel method fails to properly validate or enforce the expected data boundaries. This mismatch creates a scenario where malicious applications can manipulate the serialized data structure to bypass normal permission checks and gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions ranging from 6.0 through 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across multiple major releases of the platform. According to CWE-264, this represents a permissions flaw where the system fails to properly enforce access controls during data serialization operations, creating an avenue for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring any user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous for attackers who can leverage it to gain system-level access. The flaw allows an attacker to start activities with system privileges, effectively breaking down the security boundaries that normally separate user applications from system services. This type of vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges, and T1059, which covers the use of system services for execution. Once exploited, the attacker can potentially access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, or gain full control over the device's network management functions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the Android framework without requiring explicit user consent or interaction, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. Android security updates addressed this flaw by correcting the size calculation and validation logic in the parcelable implementation, ensuring proper boundary checking during serialization operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual network management activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in inter-process communication mechanisms, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and Android Security Best Practices guidelines. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming techniques that include thorough validation of serialized data structures, proper error handling, and implementation of robust access control checks in all methods that handle cross-process communication, particularly those involving system-level services and privileged operations.