CVE-2018-9355 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In bta_dm_sdp_result of bta_dm_act.cc, there is a possible out of bounds stack write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android Versions: Android-6.0 Android-6.0.1 Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android ID: A-74016921.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9355 represents a critical out-of-bounds stack write flaw within the Bluetooth stack implementation of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the bta_dm_sdp_result function located in the bta_dm_act.cc source file, which forms part of the Bluetooth adapter management component. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms when processing Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) responses from remote Bluetooth devices. According to CWE-129, this corresponds to an implementation weakness where insufficient validation of input data leads to buffer overflow conditions. The flaw exists across multiple Android versions including 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact affecting a significant portion of the Android ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a remote Bluetooth connection where an attacker can craft malicious SDP responses that trigger the out-of-bounds write condition. When the Bluetooth adapter processes these malformed responses, the missing bounds check allows data to be written beyond the allocated stack buffer space. This memory corruption can potentially overwrite adjacent stack variables, function return addresses, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction and can be exploited remotely, making it a prime candidate for automated attacks. As per ATT&CK technique T1059.007, this represents a remote code execution vector that leverages system-level Bluetooth protocols to achieve arbitrary code execution on the target device. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the attacker does not need elevated privileges, as the vulnerability exists within the system-level Bluetooth stack components that operate with necessary privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9355 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling complete system compromise and persistent access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Bluetooth service, which typically operates with system-level access. This could lead to full device compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions, creating a substantial attack surface considering the widespread deployment of these operating system versions across various mobile devices and IoT implementations. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where Bluetooth connectivity is enabled by default, such as smartphones, tablets, and automotive systems. Organizations implementing Android-based solutions should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation, as it can be exploited through passive Bluetooth scanning without any active user engagement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9355 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as Google released patches addressing this specific vulnerability in subsequent security releases. System administrators should implement Bluetooth device access controls, including disabling unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when not required, and employing network segmentation to limit Bluetooth attack surfaces. Additional protective measures include deploying Bluetooth monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SDP traffic patterns and implementing network-level firewalls to restrict Bluetooth communication between devices. Organizations should also consider device-level security controls such as disabling Bluetooth when not actively needed, implementing secure Bluetooth pairing protocols, and conducting regular security assessments of Bluetooth-enabled systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in system-level components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core operating system services. As per industry best practices and security frameworks, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against remote code execution vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems.