CVE-2011-1001 in Android SDK
Summary
by MITRE
dexdump in Android SDK before 2.3 does not properly perform structural verification, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (dexdump crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a malformed APK or dex file that calls a method using more arguments than the number of register that have been declared for that method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1001 affects the dexdump utility within Android SDK versions prior to 2.3, representing a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient structural verification mechanisms. This issue resides in the Android development toolkit's ability to analyze and process dex files, which are the compiled bytecode files used by the Android operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the dexdump tool's handling of malformed input files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted APK or dex files that contain method calls with excessive arguments beyond the declared register limits.
The technical flaw manifests when dexdump processes malformed dex files that contain method signatures with more arguments than the number of registers allocated for that method. This discrepancy creates a condition where the tool's internal parsing mechanisms fail to properly validate the structural integrity of the bytecode, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability operates under CWE-129, which classifies it as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" issue, where the tool fails to properly validate method argument counts against available register space. This misvalidation creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the tool's execution flow through crafted input files, potentially causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the flaw could potentially enable arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. When a user or automated process attempts to analyze a maliciously crafted APK or dex file using the vulnerable dexdump utility, the tool's failure to properly validate method signatures can lead to memory corruption that might be exploitable. This represents a significant concern for developers and security professionals who rely on the Android SDK tools for analyzing applications, as the vulnerability creates a potential attack vector that could be leveraged to compromise systems during the development or analysis phase. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers could deliver malicious files through various channels, including app stores or direct downloads, without requiring local system access.
The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the act of opening or analyzing a malicious file with the affected dexdump tool, which aligns with the user-assisted remote attack classification. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in development environments where developers frequently analyze third-party applications or when automated analysis tools process untrusted input. The attack vector operates through the Android application packaging system, where APK files contain dex bytecode that is processed by various SDK tools including dexdump. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects the entire Android SDK ecosystem, making it a critical issue that requires immediate attention from development teams and security administrators who use these tools in their workflow.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on upgrading to Android SDK version 2.3 or later, where proper structural verification has been implemented to prevent the exploitation of malformed dex files. Organizations should also implement strict input validation procedures for any automated analysis systems that process APK or dex files, ensuring that only trusted and properly formatted files are analyzed. The implementation of sandboxed analysis environments and regular security assessments of development tools can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should consider disabling or restricting access to vulnerable SDK tools in production environments where they are not strictly required, and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other Android development tools that may present comparable risks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical tools and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of development environments.