CVE-2017-13295 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in the Android framework (package installer). Product: Android. Versions: 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-62537081.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13295 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android framework's package installer component. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The issue stems from improper handling of malformed package data during the installation process, creating a condition where maliciously crafted applications can trigger system instability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which specifically addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and falls within the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" in the context of Android operating systems. The affected package installer component serves as a critical entry point for application deployment on Android devices, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard application installation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the package installer processes malformed or corrupted application packages without proper validation of input parameters. Attackers can craft specially designed apk files that contain malformed data structures or invalid metadata that cause the installer to enter an infinite loop or consume excessive system resources during the parsing phase. This occurs because the installer fails to implement adequate bounds checking and input sanitization when processing package manifests and resource files. The flaw specifically manifests during the installation verification process where the system attempts to validate the package structure and extract necessary metadata for deployment. When encountering malformed data, the installer's resource management logic becomes compromised, leading to system hang conditions or complete system crashes that require manual intervention or device rebooting. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input validation where the system does not properly handle edge cases or malformed data inputs, resulting in resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential security implications for Android users and device administrators. Device owners may experience unexpected system freezes or complete application installation failures, disrupting normal device functionality and potentially preventing legitimate application installations. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt business operations through targeted denial of service attacks against employee devices. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill as it can be accomplished through standard application distribution channels, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Network administrators and security teams face challenges in detecting and mitigating this vulnerability since it operates at the system level and may not be immediately apparent through conventional network monitoring. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple Android versions simultaneously, requiring coordinated patch management across diverse device fleets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13295 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which include enhanced input validation and resource consumption limits within the package installer component. System administrators should implement proactive patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all managed devices. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict installation of untrusted packages, enabling automatic security updates where possible, and conducting regular security audits of installed applications. Organizations should also consider network-level controls such as application firewalls or content filtering solutions to prevent the download and installation of potentially malicious packages. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in mobile operating systems, emphasizing the need for robust defensive measures against resource exhaustion attacks. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual installation patterns or system resource consumption spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers and carriers should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify emerging exploitation patterns and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the Android ecosystem.