CVE-2017-13261 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android operating system versions 5.1.1 to 8.1 are affected by a vulnerability that could lead to remote information disclosure without additional privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-13261

This CVE identifies a potential out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Android operating system.

What is CVE-2017-13261?

In the bnep_process_control_packet function of the bnep_utils.cc file, a missing check on array bounds could result in an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to the disclosure of remote information without needing extra execution privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2017-13261

The vulnerability affects various versions of the Android operating system, including 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-13261

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a missing bounds check in the bnep_process_control_packet function, potentially leading to remote information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android 5.1.1
Android 6.0
Android 6.0.1
Android 7.0
Android 7.1.1
Android 7.1.2
Android 8.0
Android 8.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability could allow threat actors to access remote information without requiring additional execution privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-13261, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Google promptly.
Monitor official security bulletins for updates.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent potential exploits.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Android operating system to the latest version.
Employ security best practices to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from Google to mitigate the risk of exploitation.