CVE-2018-9352 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2024
In ihevcd_allocate_dynamic_bufs of ihevcd_api.c there is a possible resource exhaustion due to integer overflow. 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-2018-9352 resides within the ihevcd_decode library's dynamic buffer allocation mechanism, specifically in the ihevcd_allocate_dynamic_bufs function located in ihevcd_api.c. This issue represents a critical resource management flaw that can be exploited to cause remote denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during buffer size calculations, creating a scenario where legitimate input parameters can trigger unexpected behavior in the memory allocation process. The flaw manifests when the system attempts to allocate memory buffers based on user-provided parameters that are subsequently processed through arithmetic operations that can overflow integer values.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions that can lead to unexpected behavior in memory allocation and buffer management. When the integer overflow occurs during buffer size calculations, it can result in the allocation of insufficient memory or the calculation of negative buffer sizes, both of which can cause the system to fail during the allocation process. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to account for potential integer arithmetic overflow scenarios. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, meaning that an attacker must provide specific input parameters to trigger the problematic code path, typically through malformed media files or network streams processed by the vulnerable decoder.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for systems that rely on the ihevcd_decode library for video processing and decoding operations. The remote denial of service capability means that attackers can potentially disrupt services without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to include potential system instability, application crashes, and denial of service for legitimate users who depend on the affected systems. The requirement for user interaction suggests that the vulnerability is typically exploited through crafted media content or network traffic that passes through the vulnerable decoding library, making it particularly concerning for web applications, media servers, and content delivery systems that process user-uploaded media files.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks targeting system resources. Attackers can leverage this integer overflow condition to consume excessive system resources or cause allocation failures that result in service unavailability. Mitigation strategies should focus on input validation and boundary checking within the buffer allocation functions, implementing proper integer overflow detection mechanisms, and ensuring that all buffer size calculations are performed with appropriate overflow protection. Additionally, implementing robust error handling and resource management practices can help prevent the exploitation of such conditions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and code reviews, particularly for libraries that handle multimedia content processing where integer overflow conditions can have severe operational consequences. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.