CVE-2018-9414 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2024
In gattServerSendResponseNative of com_android_bluetooth_gatt.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds stack write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User 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-2018-9414 resides within the Bluetooth GATT server implementation of Android systems, specifically in the gattServerSendResponseNative function located in com_android_bluetooth_gatt.cpp. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds stack write condition that occurs when the system fails to perform proper bounds checking on input data before writing to memory locations. Such a condition typically arises when developers do not validate the size or range of data being processed, creating opportunities for malicious code to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw exists in the native code layer of Android's Bluetooth stack, where the gattServerSendResponseNative function handles responses sent from Bluetooth GATT servers. When processing incoming Bluetooth GATT requests, the function does not adequately validate the length or contents of data structures before attempting to write response data to stack memory. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can cause the program to write beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially corrupting critical system data or executing arbitrary code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for privilege escalation attacks. The exploit requires only user execution privileges and does not necessitate user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might have access to Bluetooth functionality. An attacker with local execution capabilities could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain elevated system access. The implications extend beyond simple local privilege escalation, as the Bluetooth subsystem often operates with elevated permissions, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire system. The vulnerability's location in the Bluetooth GATT server implementation means that any device running affected Android versions could be at risk, particularly devices with Bluetooth capabilities that are frequently used in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9414 should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Google through Android security updates. Organizations must ensure that all affected Android devices receive the relevant security patches promptly, as the vulnerability is exploitable without user interaction. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1566, covering 'Phishing via Social Engineering', as the lack of user interaction requirements makes it particularly dangerous for automated exploitation. Security teams should also implement memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of Bluetooth-related system calls and memory access patterns to detect any anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts.