CVE-2017-13315 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In writeToParcel and createFromParcel of DcParamObject.java, there is a permission bypass due to a write size mismatch. This could lead to an elevation 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13315 represents a critical permission bypass flaw within the Android operating system's component communication mechanisms. This issue resides in the DcParamObject.java file where the writeToParcel and createFromParcel methods fail to maintain consistent data size validation during serialization and deserialization processes. The flaw stems from improper handling of parcelable data structures that are fundamental to Android's inter-process communication framework, creating a scenario where malicious applications can manipulate serialized data to gain unauthorized system-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a write size mismatch condition that occurs when Android's Binder IPC mechanism processes parcelable objects. During the writeToParcel operation, the system writes data to a parcel buffer without proper validation of the expected data size, while the corresponding createFromParcel method attempts to read data without adequate size checking. This discrepancy allows attackers to craft malicious parcel data that bypasses normal permission checks, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 as it involves improper information management and can lead to privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines Android's security model by allowing applications to bypass the system's permission enforcement mechanisms. An attacker can leverage this flaw to execute activities with system privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications typically operate with restricted permissions. The vulnerability affects the core Android framework components and can be exploited across multiple Android versions, potentially compromising the entire device's security posture. This type of flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the use of elevated privileges to execute malicious code, and T1059 which encompasses the execution of code through legitimate system processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates from device manufacturers and Google. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and ensure that all Android devices receive timely security updates. The fix involves correcting the size validation logic in the parcelable serialization methods to ensure consistent data handling between write and read operations, preventing malicious data from bypassing permission checks. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and size checking in their own parcelable implementations to prevent similar issues in custom applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates how flaws in core framework components can be exploited to compromise entire operating systems. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their mobile environments.