CVE-2017-13310 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2024
In createFromParcel of ViewPager.java, there is a possible read/write serialization issue leading to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege where an app can start an activity with system privileges with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13310 resides within the ViewPager.java component of Android's framework, specifically in the createFromParcel method which handles deserialization of parcelable objects. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for unauthorized privilege escalation through improper handling of serialized data structures. The issue stems from inadequate validation during the deserialization process where maliciously crafted parcelable data can bypass normal permission checks and execute code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the ViewPager component processes incoming parcelable data through the createFromParcel method, which fails to properly validate the source and content of serialized objects. This vulnerability falls under CWE-502, specifically categorized as Deserialization of Untrusted Data, where the system deserializes data without sufficient validation mechanisms to prevent malicious code execution. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the serialized data stream to inject commands or alter execution flow, effectively circumventing Android's permission model.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a local privilege escalation attack where any application with basic execution privileges can potentially launch activities with system-level permissions. The exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through malicious apps or compromised applications that have access to the device. This bypass allows unauthorized applications to perform actions that should only be available to system-level components, potentially leading to complete device compromise and data exfiltration.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, access protected system resources, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain root access or manipulate system-level components without requiring additional attack vectors or user interaction. The vulnerability represents a significant weakening of Android's security model and can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Android versions, monitoring for suspicious activity patterns, and ensuring proper application sandboxing to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges and access to system resources.