CVE-2018-9462 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2024
In store_cmd of ftm4_pdc.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect 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 • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9462 resides within the ftm4_pdc.c source file, specifically in the store_cmd function where a critical out-of-bounds write condition exists due to an improper bounds validation mechanism. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation, allowing an attacker with system execution privileges to elevate their access level within the affected system. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector indicates that while it requires initial system execution privileges to begin exploitation, the ultimate outcome can grant the attacker elevated system-level access. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically without any human intervention, potentially enabling malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control. The root cause stems from an incorrect bounds check implementation that fails to properly validate input parameters against the allocated memory boundaries, creating a scenario where data can be written beyond the intended buffer limits. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which directly impacts the system's memory integrity and can lead to unpredictable behavior including system crashes, data corruption, or unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by its potential to be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors or exploits that could provide the initial system execution privileges required to trigger the privilege escalation mechanism. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical threat to system security as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring user interaction, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The attack surface for this vulnerability is limited to systems that utilize the specific hardware and software components where the ftm4_pdc.c driver is implemented, particularly in embedded systems or automotive platforms that rely on similar memory management patterns. Security researchers and system administrators should prioritize addressing this vulnerability through firmware updates or code modifications that correct the bounds checking logic to prevent unauthorized memory access and ensure proper input validation. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the use of local privilege escalation methods to gain system-level access, making it a significant concern for organizations that operate systems where such embedded drivers are deployed. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds validation that ensures all input data is strictly checked against the allocated buffer size before any memory write operations occur, preventing the potential for memory corruption that enables privilege escalation. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation and memory management practices in embedded systems where security flaws can have far-reaching consequences beyond simple application-level issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific memory management flaw within the store_cmd function where the bounds checking logic fails to properly validate the size of incoming data against the allocated buffer space. When the system processes commands through this function, the improper validation allows data to be written beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations or critical system structures. This type of memory corruption can be particularly dangerous because it can lead to arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory regions are subsequently accessed or when the system attempts to execute code from the modified memory locations. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation indicates that while the initial exploitation may require system execution privileges, the ultimate outcome allows for privilege elevation, meaning that an attacker who can execute code with system privileges can leverage this flaw to gain root or administrator level access. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through system operations or when the affected driver is loaded into memory. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation techniques that can be automated without requiring human intervention, making it a preferred target for malicious actors seeking to establish persistent access to systems. The bounds checking error represents a fundamental flaw in the software's defensive mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate the length of input data before performing memory operations, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory contents. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data corruption as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise, especially in embedded systems where memory layout and privilege levels are more tightly coupled than in traditional computing environments. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures that include regular code reviews, memory safety validation, and proper input sanitization to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into their systems.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-9462 extend beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass long-term security risks that can affect system integrity and data protection. Systems that contain this vulnerability may experience unauthorized access to critical system functions, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation means that even if an attacker initially gains access with limited privileges, they can use this flaw to achieve full system control, making it a particularly attractive target for sophisticated attacks. From a security compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely fail to meet minimum security standards required by various industry frameworks and regulations that mandate proper memory management and input validation practices. The vulnerability's presence in embedded systems or automotive platforms where security is paramount creates additional concerns as these environments often have limited update mechanisms and may remain in operation for extended periods without security patches. The attack complexity for this vulnerability is relatively low since it does not require user interaction, meaning that automated exploitation tools could readily target systems containing this flaw. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which focuses on leveraging system-level access to gain elevated privileges, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where system execution privileges are more readily available. The fix for this vulnerability typically involves implementing proper bounds checking that validates all input data against buffer sizes before any memory write operations occur, ensuring that the system maintains memory integrity throughout the command processing cycle. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as memory protection mechanisms, stack canaries, or address space layout randomization to provide additional layers of defense against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could be exploited in conjunction with this flaw. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems where the consequences of memory corruption can be more severe than in traditional computing environments.