CVE-2018-9351 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2024
In ih264e_fmt_conv_420p_to_420sp of ih264e_fmt_conv.c there is a possible out of bound read due to missing bounds check. This could lead to remote 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-2018-9351 resides within the ih264e_fmt_conv_420p_to_420sp function in the ih264e_fmt_conv.c source file, representing a critical out-of-bounds read condition that fundamentally compromises system stability. This flaw manifests when processing video format conversions, specifically from 420p to 420sp pixel formats, where the code fails to validate array boundaries before accessing memory locations. The absence of proper bounds checking creates an exploitable scenario where maliciously crafted input data can cause the application to read memory beyond allocated buffers, potentially triggering segmentation faults or system crashes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds check, which directly aligns with the fundamental principles of secure coding practices that mandate input validation and memory safety mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a remote attack vector that can be leveraged by threat actors without requiring elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities. The requirement for user interaction indicates that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering or malicious file delivery mechanisms where unsuspecting users might inadvertently trigger the vulnerable code path. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content, such as web browsers, media players, or video processing applications. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that any application utilizing this specific video encoding library could be compromised, potentially affecting streaming platforms, video conferencing systems, or content delivery networks that rely on hardware-accelerated video processing.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) within the adversary tactics framework, as it enables attackers to cause system instability through legitimate application processing. The vulnerability's classification as remote and requiring no additional privileges makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking scalable attack vectors that can be deployed across multiple targets simultaneously. The lack of execution privileges required for exploitation means that attackers can achieve system disruption without needing to establish persistent access or escalate privileges, making this a preferred method for creating chaos or disruption in targeted environments. Organizations implementing mitigation strategies should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their network security posture, particularly in environments where multimedia processing is prevalent and where traditional network segmentation may not prevent exploitation.
Effective mitigation of CVE-2018-9351 requires immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of input validation controls at multiple layers of the application stack. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where this specific video processing library is utilized, particularly in media processing frameworks, streaming applications, and embedded systems. The fix should implement proper bounds checking mechanisms that validate array indices before memory access operations, ensuring that all input data undergoes rigorous validation before being processed through the vulnerable function. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar patterns that might exist in other video processing functions, as the underlying issue reflects a common class of vulnerabilities that can affect multimedia processing libraries across different platforms and implementations.