CVE-2018-9362 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In processMessagePart of InboundSmsHandler.java, there is a possible remote denial of service due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote denial of service 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-72298611.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-9362 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the Android messaging subsystem that affects multiple versions of the operating system from Android 6.0 through Android 8.1. This issue resides in the InboundSmsHandler.java component which processes incoming SMS messages, specifically within the processMessagePart method where inadequate input validation creates a pathway for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of SMS message components that could be crafted to cause the system to crash or become unresponsive when processing malformed data. The flaw operates at the system level where SMS handling occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard messaging channels without requiring any special privileges or user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of SMS message parts that are received by the Android device. When the processMessagePart method encounters malformed or specially crafted SMS data, the validation logic fails to properly handle edge cases or unexpected input patterns, leading to a system crash or denial of service condition. This represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation vulnerability pattern where the system does not adequately check the integrity and format of incoming data before processing it. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through malformed input. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this particularly concerning as it can be exploited through automated means, potentially allowing attackers to target multiple devices simultaneously without requiring any user engagement.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9362 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall messaging functionality of affected Android devices. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the SMS messaging service to become unavailable, preventing users from receiving or sending text messages until the system is rebooted or the affected service is manually restarted. This denial of service condition affects core telecommunications functionality and can have cascading effects on emergency services, two-factor authentication systems, and other applications that depend on SMS delivery. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Android versions indicates a widespread issue that would require coordinated patching efforts across the entire Android ecosystem, making it particularly challenging for device manufacturers and carriers to address comprehensively.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through standard Android security updates, which typically include enhanced input validation routines and proper error handling within the SMS processing components. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize the application of security patches to all affected Android versions, as the vulnerability does not require any special privileges or user interaction to exploit. Additionally, network-level monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual SMS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing SMS filtering mechanisms and regular security assessments of their mobile device management systems to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of messaging components that handle untrusted data from external sources.