CVE-2018-9510 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In smp_proc_enc_info 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-111937065
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9510 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth stack of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the smp_proc_enc_info function located in the smp_act.cc source file, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism has been omitted during the implementation of cryptographic key processing operations. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9.0, indicating a widespread exposure across the Android ecosystem. The flaw specifically impacts the Security Manager Protocol (SMP) component responsible for handling encryption information during Bluetooth pairing processes, making it particularly concerning for wireless security implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Bluetooth security framework where the system fails to verify array boundaries before accessing memory locations during encryption information processing. When a remote attacker successfully establishes a Bluetooth connection and initiates the pairing process, they can craft malicious packets that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This memory access violation occurs without requiring any special privileges or user interaction, making the exploit particularly dangerous as it can be executed autonomously. The missing bounds check creates a scenario where the system attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the Bluetooth security model. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can potentially extract confidential data including cryptographic keys, session information, or other sensitive parameters that are stored in memory adjacent to the vulnerable buffer. This information disclosure could enable further attacks including but not limited to session hijacking, key recovery attacks, or downgrade attacks that compromise the overall Bluetooth security posture. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target devices without physical proximity or user interaction, significantly expanding the attack surface. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving information gathering and credential access through network-based attacks, specifically targeting the Bluetooth protocol stack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9510 should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which address the missing bounds checking mechanism in the SMP implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating affected devices to the latest Android security patches available through Google's security bulletin releases. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and represents a classic example of how cryptographic protocol implementations can suffer from memory safety issues. Device manufacturers and security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Bluetooth implementations and consider implementing additional runtime protections such as address space layout randomization or stack canaries to mitigate potential exploitation scenarios. The Android security model's reliance on proper input validation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it demonstrates the critical importance of bounds checking in security-sensitive code paths.