CVE-2018-9509 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In smp_proc_master_id of smp_act.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure over Bluetooth with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android Versions: Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9.0 Android ID: A-111937027
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9509 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Android operating system's Bluetooth implementation. This issue resides in the smp_proc_master_id function located in the smp_act.cc source file, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism has been omitted. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw is classified under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly relates to the missing bounds check that should prevent accessing memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote information disclosure over Bluetooth connections without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. This means that an attacker positioned within Bluetooth range could potentially access sensitive information from affected Android devices through a carefully crafted Bluetooth packet. The absence of user interaction requirements significantly increases the attack surface and exploitability of this vulnerability, as it can be triggered automatically without any user involvement. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable attackers to gather sensitive device information, including system configurations, memory contents, or other confidential data that might be accessible through the Bluetooth interface. This information could then be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks or used to further compromise the device. The vulnerability's presence in the Bluetooth stack means that any device running the affected Android versions is potentially at risk, particularly in environments where Bluetooth connectivity is frequently used. The lack of requiring additional privileges or user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited silently in the background.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9509 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms in the affected source code, specifically within the smp_proc_master_id function. Android security patches released by Google address this vulnerability by adding appropriate array bounds validation before memory access operations. Organizations should ensure that all affected Android devices are updated with the latest security patches, particularly those running versions 7.0 through 9.0. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in security-critical components and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive code review processes to identify similar issues in other system components. The fix typically involves adding bounds checking logic that validates array indices against the actual array size before any memory access operations occur, preventing the out-of-bounds read condition that leads to information disclosure.