CVE-2018-9405 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2025
In BnDmAgent::onTransact of dm_agent.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9405 resides within the BnDmAgent::onTransact function in the dm_agent.cpp source file, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue manifests as a potential out of bounds write condition that arises from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects Android-based systems where the Device Management Agent component operates with system-level privileges, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to full system execution rights. The flaw does not require any user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through system processes or malicious applications that communicate with the vulnerable component.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of input data, and CWE-787, which covers out of bounds write conditions. The missing bounds check in the onTransact method allows for arbitrary data to be written beyond the allocated memory boundaries of the target buffer, potentially overwriting critical system memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and specifically targets the mechanism by which attackers can leverage software flaws to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway involves sending specially crafted IPC (inter-process communication) messages to the Device Management Agent service, which then processes these messages without adequate validation of data boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9405 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides a direct route for local privilege escalation within Android environments. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with system-level privileges, effectively bypassing all standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies and application sandboxing. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as the attacker can then access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, install malicious applications with elevated permissions, and potentially access encrypted data or communication channels. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running Android versions where the Device Management Agent service is enabled and active, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9405 should focus on immediate patch deployment from the vendor, as this vulnerability represents a critical security flaw requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of system processes to detect anomalous behavior from the Device Management Agent service, particularly when processing IPC messages from untrusted sources. The recommended approach includes applying the latest security patches from the device manufacturer, disabling unnecessary Device Management Agent services where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit communication pathways to the vulnerable component. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify any custom applications or services that might interact with the Device Management Agent, as these could serve as additional attack vectors. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in system-level components and emphasizes the need for regular security assessments of Android framework services to prevent similar out of bounds write conditions from being exploited in the future.