CVE-2017-13312 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2024
In createFromParcel of MediaCas.java, there is a possible parcel read/write mismatch due to improper input validation. 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-2017-13312 resides within the Android framework's MediaCas.java component, specifically in the createFromParcel method which handles parcelable data structures used for inter-process communication. This flaw represents a classic parcel read/write mismatch that occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data during the deserialization process. The issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms that allow malformed or unexpected data to be processed without adequate sanitization checks. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions, where the improper handling of parcelable objects creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the Android framework, affecting core components responsible for media content access systems that are critical to the operating system's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Android's Binder IPC mechanism processes parcelable objects through the Parcelable interface. When an application attempts to create a MediaCas object from a parcel, the createFromParcel method does not properly validate the incoming data structure, allowing malicious input to bypass normal security boundaries. The flaw enables an attacker to manipulate the parcel data in such a way that the system interprets the data as having higher privileges than intended, effectively allowing a regular application to masquerade as a system-level component. This misalignment between expected and actual data handling creates a privilege escalation vector where the malicious application can execute activities with system-level permissions without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1068, which deals with Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13312 is severe as it provides a path for local privilege escalation that does not require user interaction or additional attack vectors. An attacker with a regular application installed on the device can exploit this vulnerability to gain system-level privileges and execute arbitrary code with the full authority of the Android system. This creates a significant risk for device security as it allows for complete system compromise without requiring any special permissions or complex attack chains. The vulnerability affects all Android versions up to and including Android 7.1.1, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of these versions. The lack of user interaction requirement means that exploitation can occur silently in the background, potentially allowing for persistent access and data exfiltration. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in Android's security model, as it undermines the fundamental principle of process isolation that separates user applications from system components. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full device compromise, including access to sensitive user data, system files, and network communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13312 focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. The primary solution involves applying the official Android security patch released by Google, which addresses the parcel validation issue in the MediaCas.java component. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android security update to prevent exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around system-level processes and media-related activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in all IPC mechanisms and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of framework components. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and enhanced monitoring of system privileges to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. According to Android security best practices and the principle of least privilege, applications should never be granted unnecessary system-level permissions, and all IPC mechanisms should include robust input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other framework components.