CVE-2017-3758 in Service Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Improper access controls on several Android components in the Lenovo Service Framework application can be exploited to enable remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3758 represents a critical security flaw within the Lenovo Service Framework application that affects multiple Android components. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate permissions and authentication requirements for various system services. The Lenovo Service Framework acts as a central management component for device-specific functionalities and services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking elevated privileges and system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of inter-process communication channels and service exposure within the Android framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the exposed service endpoints without proper authentication. The flaw specifically affects components that should only be accessible through legitimate system processes or authenticated user sessions, yet remain accessible to unprivileged applications. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for remote code execution through carefully constructed requests that bypass normal access control checks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to affected Lenovo devices running the vulnerable service framework. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to install malicious applications, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to full system control. The attack surface extends beyond simple application manipulation to include potential data exfiltration and persistent backdoor establishment. Organizations and individual users face risks of privacy violations, financial loss, and device compromise that can persist even after standard security measures are applied.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This classification indicates that the flaw involves inadequate permission checking mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. From an adversarial methodology standpoint, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation, persistence mechanisms, and initial access vectors. The exploitability of this issue demonstrates the importance of proper service isolation and access control enforcement within mobile application frameworks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Lenovo devices through official firmware updates provided by Lenovo. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious service access patterns and establish proper network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Device hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services, implementing robust application whitelisting, and maintaining updated security frameworks can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of keeping device firmware current with security patches. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for comprehensive security testing of service frameworks and proper implementation of Android security model principles including proper permission handling and service isolation mechanisms.