Selecao coach Tite opted to rest a number first team players for the final group game, as Alisson Becker and Marquinhos were the only regulars to remain in the line-up.
Ecuador's hopes of clinching a victory suffered a blow on 17 minutes as star forward Moises Caicedo was withdrawn due to injury, with Angel Mena brought on as his replacement.
Brazil went close to breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes through Lucas Paqueta, who saw his effort from distance sail just wide of the upright.
Tite's men were not to be denied 10 minutes later as Everton's free-kick found Eder Militao, who powered home a header from close range.
After failing to trouble Alisson in the first half, Ecuador managed to restore parity in the 53rd minute when Mena slotted home from close range after being set up by Enner Valencia.
Brazil still enjoyed most of the possession after Ecuador equalised but they struggled to carve out clear-cut openings for most of the second half.
Both sides rang the changes in the latter stages of the second half, but they made no desired effect as the spoils were shared, ending Brazil's winning record in the group.
As a result of the draw, Ecuador managed to seal a spot in the quarter-finals along with Brazil, Peru and Colombia.
