CVE-2018-9385 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In driver_override_store of bus.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android Versions: Android kernel Android ID: A-74128061 References: Upstream kernel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9385 resides within the Android kernel's driver_override_store function located in the bus.c file, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that can be exploited for local privilege escalation. This issue stems from an inadequate bounds checking mechanism that fails to properly validate input data before writing to memory locations, creating a pathway for malicious code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects Android kernel implementations and was tracked under Android ID A-74128061, with upstream kernel references indicating its presence in core kernel components.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the driver_override_store function processes user-supplied input without sufficient validation of array boundaries or buffer limits. This incorrect bounds check allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory space, potentially overwriting critical kernel structures or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation means that an attacker with minimal system access can leverage this flaw to gain system-level execution privileges without requiring additional user interaction or external exploitation vectors. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically once the target system is compromised at a basic level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over the Android device kernel, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise. The flaw affects the core kernel bus subsystem, which handles device driver management and communication, making it a critical component that could be exploited to manipulate device behavior at the lowest system level. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions in software systems, and represents a significant concern for mobile security architectures where kernel-level access provides complete system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9385 require immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions through official security updates from device manufacturers and Google. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates that address the bounds checking implementation in bus.c, particularly focusing on the driver_override_store function's memory handling. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous driver behavior or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as a kernel-level flaw means that traditional application-level security measures may be insufficient, requiring comprehensive system hardening approaches including kernel lockdown mechanisms and enhanced memory protection features. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their Android kernel implementations to identify similar bounds checking vulnerabilities that could present analogous risks to system integrity and user data protection.