CVE-2018-6268 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
NVIDIA Tegra library contains a vulnerability in libnvmmlite_video.so, where referencing memory after it has been freed may lead to denial of service or possible escalation of privileges. Android ID: A-80433161.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6268 resides within the NVIDIA Tegra mobile platform library, specifically in the libnvmmlite_video.so component that handles video processing functionalities. This issue represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability that occurs when the system attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated, creating potential security risks that extend beyond simple denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects devices running Android operating systems and is particularly concerning due to its potential for privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for mobile device security. The flaw manifests within the video processing pipeline where the library fails to properly manage memory references, leading to scenarios where freed memory locations are accessed by subsequent operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the NVIDIA Tegra multimedia library. When processing video streams, the libnvmmlite_video.so component allocates memory for video buffers and processing structures, but fails to maintain proper reference counting or validation mechanisms. This memory management failure allows for a situation where a memory block is freed from the heap but the application continues to reference that location, potentially causing system instability or allowing malicious code to manipulate the freed memory for unauthorized operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the video decoding and encoding processes where the library handles multimedia data streams, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where multimedia processing is frequent and resource-intensive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and attack vectors. From a denial of service perspective, the vulnerability can cause system crashes or application freezes during video processing operations, rendering the device temporarily unusable for multimedia functions. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for privilege escalation, where an attacker could leverage the use-after-free condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This risk is particularly significant in mobile environments where the Tegra library operates with system-level permissions, potentially allowing attackers to gain root access or manipulate critical system functions. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize NVIDIA Tegra processors, making it a widespread concern across multiple device manufacturers and model lines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6268 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves applying the security patches provided by NVIDIA and device manufacturers, which typically include memory management fixes and proper reference validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest firmware versions that contain the patched libnvmmlite_video.so library. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts. From a defensive standpoint, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual video processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, making it a critical target for security hardening efforts in mobile environments.