CVE-2018-9403 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2024
In the MTK_FLP_MSG_HAL_DIAG_REPORT_DATA_NTF handler of flp2hal_- interface.c, there is a possible stack buffer overflow due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege in a privileged process with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9403 resides within the MTK_FLP_MSG_HAL_DIAG_REPORT_DATA_NTF handler component of the flp2hal-interface.c file in a mobile platform firmware implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that operates at the intersection of hardware abstraction layers and location services functionality. The vulnerability specifically affects systems utilizing MediaTek chipsets where the FLP (Framework Location Provider) component interfaces with hardware abstraction layers for location reporting. The affected code path processes diagnostic reports containing location data that flows from hardware components to the framework layer, creating a potential attack surface where malformed input can cause unexpected behavior.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a classic stack buffer overflow condition that occurs when the system fails to validate input boundaries before copying data into a fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack. This missing bounds check creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. The flaw manifests when the diagnostic report data contains unexpected length specifications or malformed payload structures that bypass normal validation procedures. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is particularly dangerous due to the potential for arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists within a privileged execution context, meaning that the component operates with System execution privileges that provide elevated access to system resources and functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9403 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation within a privileged process environment. This means that an attacker who gains access to the affected system can leverage this vulnerability to elevate their privileges from a standard user account to a system-level privileged account with complete administrative control. The attack vector requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by malicious code running on the device. The vulnerability affects the location services framework of mobile platforms, potentially compromising location tracking functionality while simultaneously providing a pathway for deeper system compromise. Attackers can utilize this flaw to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially enabling full device compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9403 must address both immediate patching requirements and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary remediation involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms in the flp2hal-interface.c file, specifically within the MTK_FLP_MSG_HAL_DIAG_REPORT_DATA_NTF handler to validate input data lengths before buffer operations. Security patches should enforce strict input validation and employ defensive programming practices such as using safe string manipulation functions and implementing proper buffer size calculations. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention mechanisms to reduce exploitability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to establish persistent access. System administrators should monitor for signs of exploitation through anomalous process behavior, unexpected privilege elevation, or unusual location service activity patterns that might indicate malicious use of this vulnerability.