CVE-2018-9429 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/03/2024
In buildImageItemsIfPossible of ItemTable.cpp there is a possible out of bound read due to uninitialized data. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9429 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the buildImageItemsIfPossible function of ItemTable.cpp, a component that handles image item processing in software systems. This flaw stems from the improper initialization of data structures before their utilization, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes image items and encounters uninitialized variables that contain unpredictable values, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive data stored in adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-457, which specifically addresses the use of uninitialized variables in software development practices. The flaw occurs during the image processing workflow where the buildImageItemsIfPossible function fails to properly initialize memory structures before accessing them, creating a pathway for information disclosure attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through user interaction, meaning that a malicious actor would need to trigger the specific code path by providing crafted input that causes the system to process image items in a manner that exposes the uninitialized data. The exploitation requires no additional privileges beyond normal user access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from standard user accounts without requiring administrative or elevated permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9429 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of uninitialized memory can potentially reveal sensitive system information, cryptographic keys, passwords, or other confidential data stored in memory. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which focuses on data from local system storage, as the information disclosure occurs through memory access patterns rather than network-based attacks. The vulnerability affects systems that process image items and may be present in various software applications including content management systems, media processing frameworks, or any application that handles image data through the affected code path. The exploitation requires user interaction, which means the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate user activities such as uploading image files or navigating to specific application features that invoke the vulnerable function.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and software developers. The primary remediation involves ensuring proper initialization of all variables and memory structures within the buildImageItemsIfPossible function before any data access occurs. This can be achieved through comprehensive code review processes, static analysis tools, and dynamic testing methodologies that identify uninitialized variable usage. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for image processing components can prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and adherence to memory safety principles, as outlined in industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to mitigate potential exploitation scenarios, while regular security updates and patches should be deployed to address this specific vulnerability across all affected systems.