CVE-2018-6254 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before the 2018-05-05 security patch level, NVIDIA Media Server contains an out-of-bounds read (due to improper input validation) vulnerability which could lead to local information disclosure. This issue is rated as moderate. Android: A-64340684. Reference: N-CVE-2018-6254.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6254 resides within the NVIDIA Media Server component of Android systems, specifically affecting devices prior to the 2018-05-05 security patch level. This represents a critical concern for mobile device security as it demonstrates how proprietary media processing components can introduce exploitable weaknesses into otherwise secure operating systems. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data, creating a scenario where malicious actors can potentially extract sensitive information from system memory. The vulnerability is classified as moderate in severity but carries significant implications for device confidentiality and data protection.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the NVIDIA Media Server implementation, which processes multimedia content for Android devices. When the system receives malformed or unexpected input data, it fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or buffer operations, leading to memory access violations that can be exploited to read data beyond intended memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of Out-of-bounds Read, which is a common vector for information disclosure attacks and represents a fundamental flaw in memory management practices. The improper validation allows attackers to manipulate input streams in ways that trigger the memory access violations, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6254 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the leaked information for privilege escalation or further exploitation. Local attackers with access to the device can exploit this vulnerability to extract confidential information from system memory, including potentially sensitive user data, application secrets, or system configuration details. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on NVIDIA's media processing capabilities, which are prevalent in many Android smartphones and tablets, making it a widespread concern across the mobile ecosystem. This type of local information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for Data from Local System, representing a clear threat to device confidentiality and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6254 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patch released on May 5, 2018, which addresses the improper input validation issue in the NVIDIA Media Server component. System administrators and device users should prioritize updating their Android devices to the latest security patch level to eliminate this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Android devices within their environment receive timely security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system components, particularly those handling multimedia data processing where malformed inputs are common. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal memory access patterns and unauthorized data extraction attempts that could indicate exploitation of similar out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities in other system components.