CVE-2015-2002 in ArcGis Runtime SDK
Summary
by MITRE
The ESRI ArcGis Runtime SDK before 10.2.6-2 for Android might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging a finalize method in a Serializable class that improperly passes an attacker-controlled pointer to a native function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2002 affects the ESRI ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android versions prior to 10.2.6-2, presenting a critical security risk that stems from improper handling of serialized objects within the application's memory management system. This flaw exists in the SDK's implementation of the finalize method within a Serializable class, creating a dangerous pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The vulnerability operates through a dangerous interaction between Java's serialization mechanism and native code execution, where an attacker-controlled pointer can be passed to a native function, bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially allowing for complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the Java serialization framework's finalize method, which is designed to perform cleanup operations before an object is garbage collected. However, when this method improperly handles attacker-controlled data, it creates an exploitable condition where malicious input can manipulate the execution flow to call native functions with attacker-controlled parameters. This represents a classic deserialization vulnerability pattern that aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and the associated risks when untrusted data is used to construct objects that may contain dangerous method calls or native function invocations. The vulnerability exploits the trust placed in serialized objects and demonstrates how seemingly benign serialization processes can become attack vectors when proper input validation and sanitization are absent.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing ESRI ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android in their mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive geospatial data or operating in environments where security is paramount. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to mobile devices, execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, and potentially escalate their privileges to access additional system resources. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as the native function invocation could allow for memory corruption, privilege escalation, or even complete system compromise depending on the target device's security configuration and the permissions granted to the affected application. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for native code execution and T1068 for privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile device security is critical.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to ESRI ArcGIS Runtime SDK version 10.2.6-2 or later, which contains patches addressing the improper handling of serialized objects and the finalize method implementation. Additionally, developers should review their applications for potential deserialization vulnerabilities and implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being processed through the serialization framework. Security measures should include disabling unnecessary serialization features, implementing strict object validation before deserialization, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile applications that utilize third-party SDKs. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and the necessity of thorough security testing of third-party components, particularly those that interface with native code execution environments. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime application protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against known vulnerable patterns.