CVE-2018-9365 in Andrioid
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In smp_data_received of smp_l2c.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read followed by code execution due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9365 resides within the Bluetooth stack implementation in Google Android systems, specifically within the SMP (Security Manager Protocol) layer responsible for handling security-related operations during Bluetooth device pairing. This flaw manifests in the smp_data_received function located in the smp_l2c.cc source file, which processes incoming SMP protocol data packets. The vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow remote code execution without requiring any additional privileges, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where Bluetooth connectivity is prevalent.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check within the smp_data_received function, creating an out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. When the function processes incoming SMP data, it fails to validate the length or boundaries of the received data before accessing memory locations, leading to a potential buffer overrun scenario. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and more broadly aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw occurs during the handling of Bluetooth security manager protocol messages, where the system does not properly validate the size of incoming data structures before processing them, allowing attackers to craft specially malformed packets that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates a pathway for remote code execution that can be leveraged by attackers without requiring any elevated privileges. This means that an attacker positioned within Bluetooth range could potentially execute arbitrary code on affected Android devices simply by sending maliciously crafted SMP protocol data packets. The requirement for user interaction suggests that while the attack vector is remote, it likely requires some form of initial device pairing or connection establishment before the malicious data can be injected, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and code execution techniques. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw with no additional privileges needed makes it particularly concerning for mobile device security, as it could enable attackers to gain full control over Android devices without physical access or user consent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9365 should focus on immediate patching of affected Android versions, with particular emphasis on the Android Security Bulletin releases addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement Bluetooth access controls and restrict pairing operations to trusted devices only, while also monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider deploying Bluetooth security scanning tools to detect and block malicious Bluetooth traffic, and users should be educated about the risks of pairing with unknown devices. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking in the smp_data_received function to validate data lengths before memory access operations, ensuring that all incoming SMP protocol data adheres to expected size constraints and preventing the out-of-bounds read condition that enables the remote code execution exploit. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit Bluetooth communication scope and reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation.