CVE-2017-5350 in Note
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung Note devices with L(5.0/5.1), M(6.0), and N(7.0) software allow attackers to crash systemUI by leveraging incomplete exception handling. The Samsung ID is SVE-2016-7122.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-5350 represents a critical flaw in Samsung Galaxy Note devices running Android versions 5.0/5.1 Lollipop, 6.0 Marshmallow, and 7.0 Nougat operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate exception handling within the systemUI component, which serves as the primary user interface framework responsible for displaying essential system elements including status bars, notifications, and home screens. The vulnerability specifically targets the way the system processes certain malformed inputs or edge cases during UI rendering operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to induce system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incomplete exception handling mechanisms within the systemUI service. When the system encounters malformed data or unexpected input conditions during user interface operations, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them. This incomplete error handling allows attackers to craft specific payloads that trigger unhandled exceptions, leading to systemUI crashes and subsequent device instability. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the Android framework, specifically targeting the system user interface service that manages core display and interaction elements. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-472: External Control of System Resource and CWE-754: Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions, both of which fall under the category of improper exception handling patterns that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5350 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially disrupt user productivity and device functionality. When the systemUI service becomes unstable, users experience complete loss of access to core device functions including notification management, status bar displays, and home screen navigation. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, specially crafted SMS messages, or compromised web content that triggers the vulnerable code path. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1489: Service Stop and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it allows for system-level disruption and potential escalation through service manipulation. The vulnerability also aligns with T1210: Exploitation of Remote Services, as it enables remote code execution through system service manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5350 require immediate system updates from Samsung and Android security patches that address the incomplete exception handling in systemUI. Organizations should implement mobile device management solutions that can enforce security updates and monitor for vulnerable devices on their networks. Users should avoid installing untrusted applications and refrain from clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments that could trigger the vulnerability. Network administrators should consider implementing mobile threat protection solutions that can detect and block malicious content targeting this specific vulnerability. The fix implemented by Samsung involved strengthening input validation within the systemUI service and implementing comprehensive exception handling for all user interface rendering operations. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable system components and ensure that all mobile devices in their environment are running patched firmware versions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust exception handling in system-level components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of user interface frameworks in mobile operating systems.