CVE-2018-9349 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2024
In mv_err_cost of mcomp.c there is a possible out of bounds read due to missing bounds check. This could lead to denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9349 resides within the motion compensation component of a multimedia processing library, specifically in the mv_err_cost function located in the mcomp.c source file. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds memory read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The issue manifests during motion vector error cost calculations where the software does not properly verify that motion vector coordinates remain within expected boundaries, creating a scenario where arbitrary memory locations may be accessed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the motion compensation algorithm. When processing video frames, the system calculates motion vector error costs to determine optimal motion compensation parameters. However, the mv_err_cost function lacks proper bounds checking mechanisms that would prevent access to memory regions beyond the allocated array boundaries. This missing validation allows an attacker to craft specially formatted video data that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition when the motion compensation engine processes the malicious input.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9349 primarily manifests as a denial of service condition that can disrupt normal system operations without requiring elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, typically through the presentation of malicious video content to a vulnerable application or system. When successfully exploited, the out-of-bounds read can cause application crashes, memory corruption, or other stability issues that prevent normal video processing operations from completing successfully. The lack of privilege escalation requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited by unprivileged users.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in input validation scenarios. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and T1499.004 for network denial of service. The vulnerability represents a common class of memory safety issues that can be mitigated through proper input validation, bounds checking, and memory safety practices. Organizations should implement defensive coding practices including array boundary validation, static code analysis, and runtime memory protection mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the field.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9349 should include immediate patch deployment from the software vendor, implementation of input validation controls, and network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious video content. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of multimedia processing applications and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive testing procedures including fuzzing and boundary condition testing for multimedia processing components to identify similar out-of-bounds access conditions before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.