CVE-2018-9449 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/03/2024
In process_service_search_attr_rsp of sdp_discovery.cc, there is a possible out of bound read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9449 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth service discovery protocol implementation of the Android operating system. This issue manifests in the process_service_search_attr_rsp function located in the sdp_discovery.cc source file, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism has been omitted during the processing of service discovery protocol responses. The absence of proper input validation creates a scenario where maliciously crafted service discovery responses could trigger memory access violations that expose sensitive data from the application's memory space.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations. This particular flaw operates at the protocol level within the Bluetooth stack, where the system processes responses from remote Bluetooth devices seeking service discovery information. When the system receives a malformed response containing excessively long attribute lists or malformed data structures, the missing bounds check allows the application to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing confidential information stored in adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9449 is significant as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. This means that an attacker positioned within the network range of a vulnerable device could potentially intercept Bluetooth service discovery responses and craft malicious payloads that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background during normal Bluetooth operations, making detection difficult and allowing for passive information harvesting. The lack of user interaction requirements means that even devices in sleep mode or with Bluetooth disabled could be vulnerable when the service discovery protocol is active, as the vulnerability exists in the underlying system libraries rather than in user-facing applications.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves discovering services on remote systems. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the Bluetooth stack's security posture and could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial reconnaissance leads to information disclosure that enables further exploitation. Security professionals should note that the vulnerability affects Android versions prior to 2018 and requires patching through official security updates from Google. The remediation approach involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms in the service discovery protocol implementation, ensuring that all received data structures are validated against expected size limits before processing. Organizations should prioritize patch management for affected Android devices and consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous Bluetooth service discovery traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.