CVE-2017-13291 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In avrc_ctrl_pars_vendor_rsp of avrc_pars_ct.cc, there is a possible NULL pointer dereference due to missing bounds checks. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-71603553.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13291 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Android Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) implementation. This issue exists in the avrc_ctrl_pars_vendor_rsp function located in the avrc_pars_ct.cc source file, where inadequate bounds checking allows maliciously crafted Bluetooth packets to trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, making it a widespread concern across multiple Android releases. The flaw operates at the Bluetooth protocol parsing layer, where the system fails to validate the length and structure of incoming vendor-specific responses before attempting to dereference pointers within the parsed data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system instability and service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it represents a remote attack vector that requires no user interaction or elevated privileges to exploit. An attacker positioned within Bluetooth range can craft malicious vendor response packets that, when processed by an affected Android device, will cause the Bluetooth stack to crash and restart. This creates a persistent denial of service condition that affects the device's ability to maintain Bluetooth connectivity and perform audio/video control functions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities through system service compromise, while also aligning with T1499 for network denial of service attacks that target system services.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-13291 occurs when an Android device receives malformed Bluetooth AVRCP vendor response packets that contain insufficient data or malformed structures. The avrc_ctrl_pars_vendor_rsp function attempts to parse these responses without verifying that the incoming data meets expected size parameters or contains valid pointer references. When the parsing logic encounters a NULL pointer that should have been validated against bounds, the system crashes with a segmentation fault or similar memory access violation. This behavior is consistent with the Android Bluetooth stack's handling of vendor-specific commands where the system expects a minimum data structure but receives data that violates these assumptions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that fail to implement proper input validation and bounds checking, which are fundamental security controls recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Android security patches, enabling Bluetooth security features, and monitoring for anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The Android ID A-71603553 indicates this vulnerability was properly tracked and addressed through Android's security update process, but devices that have not received these patches remain at risk for continued exploitation.