CVE-2018-9345 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In BnAudioPolicyService::onTransact of AudioPolicyService.cpp, there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9345 resides within the BnAudioPolicyService::onTransact method of the AudioPolicyService.cpp file in Android's audio system framework. This flaw represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access that can potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized processes. The issue manifests when the system processes transactions related to audio policy management without properly initializing certain data structures before use, creating a pathway for information leakage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Binder transaction handling mechanism that governs inter-process communication in Android's audio subsystem. When the onTransact method processes incoming audio policy requests, it fails to initialize specific memory regions that contain previously allocated data from prior operations. This uninitialized data may retain fragments of sensitive information from previous system operations, including potentially confidential audio configurations, system states, or other proprietary data that should not be accessible to unauthorized components. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the audio policy service daemon, making it particularly concerning for privacy and security implications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure without requiring any special privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged by any process running on the device with basic user permissions, effectively removing the need for elevated privileges or complex attack chains. This characteristic aligns with the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through local exploitation techniques, specifically mapping to the T1068 privilege escalation tactic. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign system services can become attack vectors when proper memory initialization protocols are not enforced, potentially exposing sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts or system reconnaissance activities.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data could contain system configuration details, audio policy settings, or other sensitive metadata that might be valuable to attackers. This information leakage could potentially be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack scenarios, making the exploitation of uninitialized memory patterns a critical concern for mobile security. Organizations should consider implementing memory sanitization protocols and ensuring proper initialization of all data structures within system services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables, and represents a fundamental weakness that requires comprehensive code review and security testing of system-level components. Mitigation strategies should include updating to patched versions of the Android operating system, implementing memory initialization checks, and conducting regular security audits of system services to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the audio framework or related subsystems.