CVE-2018-9433 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/20/2024
In ArrayConcatVisitor of builtins-array.cc, there is a possible type confusion due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9433 resides within the ArrayConcatVisitor component of the builtins-array.cc file, representing a critical type confusion flaw that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution. This issue specifically affects the V8 JavaScript engine used in Google Chrome and other applications that rely on this runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly distinguish between different data types during array concatenation operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted inputs can manipulate the runtime's type handling behavior.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of type information during array concatenation processes. When the ArrayConcatVisitor processes input arrays, it fails to maintain proper type consistency checks that would normally prevent mixing different data types. This type confusion allows an attacker to manipulate the memory layout and execution flow of the JavaScript engine by carefully constructing inputs that cause the runtime to misinterpret data types. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine encounters unexpected type transitions during concatenation operations, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9433 is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring any additional privileges beyond normal user access. This means that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability through web-based attacks without needing administrative rights or special permissions. The requirement for user interaction indicates that the exploit would typically be delivered through malicious web content that users must visit or interact with, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The vulnerability affects widely deployed applications including Google Chrome, Chromium-based browsers, and other software that utilizes the V8 JavaScript engine, potentially exposing millions of users to remote exploitation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125 which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of improper input validation that create opportunities for type confusion attacks, which are commonly categorized under CWE-129 and CWE-787. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, content security policies, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation strategy involves applying the latest security patches from vendors and implementing runtime protections that can detect and prevent malicious type manipulation attempts.