CVE-2017-13316 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2024
In checkPermissions of RecognitionService.java, there is a possible permissions bypass due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13316 resides within the RecognitionService.java component of an Android system, specifically in the checkPermissions method where a critical security flaw exists. This issue represents a classic permissions bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the Android operating system. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive resources or functionalities. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability directly relates to inadequate access control mechanisms where insufficient permission checks allow unauthorized access to protected system components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it highly exploitable in both automated and manual attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper permission validation within the RecognitionService.java file. When the checkPermissions method is invoked, it fails to perform the necessary authorization checks that should verify whether the calling process has appropriate privileges to access the requested functionality. This missing validation creates a security gap where malicious applications or processes can bypass the normal permission enforcement mechanisms that typically protect sensitive system resources. The vulnerability operates at the system level where recognition services are typically used for voice recognition, speech processing, or similar functionality that requires elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain higher-level system access, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13316 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a significant escalation of privileges within the Android security model. This vulnerability allows attackers to effectively bypass the standard security boundaries that separate user applications from system-level services. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous for automated exploitation and increases the attack surface significantly. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries can leverage missing security checks to move from user-level processes to system-level privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require additional attack vectors such as phishing or social engineering, making it a straightforward target for malicious actors seeking to gain elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission validation mechanisms within the RecognitionService.java file and ensuring all system services perform adequate authorization checks before granting access to sensitive resources. The recommended approach includes enforcing strict permission verification in the checkPermissions method, implementing proper access control lists, and ensuring that all system services validate caller privileges before executing privileged operations. Security patches should address the missing permission checks by adding comprehensive validation logic that aligns with Android's security model and follows established secure coding practices. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and maintain regular security audits to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities in other system components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of access control validation in security-sensitive system services and the potential consequences when such controls are missing or improperly implemented.