CVE-2018-9486 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/20/2024
In hidh_l2cif_data_ind of hidh_conn.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure over bluetooth with no additional 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-2018-9486 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth HID (Human Interface Device) subsystem of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the hidh_l2cif_data_ind function within the hidh_conn.cc source file, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism has been omitted during data processing. The flaw specifically manifests when handling incoming Bluetooth data packets through the L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol) interface, which serves as the foundational communication layer for Bluetooth HID devices including keyboards, mice, and other peripheral input devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, which categorizes improper bounds checking issues that can result in memory access violations. The flaw occurs during the processing of HID data packets where the system fails to validate the length or boundaries of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations. This missing validation allows an attacker to craft malicious Bluetooth packets that, when processed by the vulnerable Android device, can trigger unauthorized memory reads. The out-of-bounds read operation can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in the device's memory space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk as it enables local information disclosure through Bluetooth communication without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction. The attack vector operates entirely within the Bluetooth protocol stack, making it accessible to nearby devices with appropriate Bluetooth capabilities. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, the vulnerability can be leveraged by adversaries within the Bluetooth range of affected devices, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive session information, authentication credentials, or other confidential data that may be stored in memory during HID device communication sessions. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as it can be used to establish persistent information gathering capabilities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9486 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the Bluetooth HID processing code. Android security patches addressing this vulnerability typically involve adding validation checks before memory access operations, ensuring that data packet lengths are verified against expected ranges before processing. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest security updates from Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability affects various Android versions including those prior to the patched releases. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in wireless communication protocols and highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for Bluetooth stack implementations to prevent similar memory safety issues from compromising device security.