CVE-2018-9511 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ipSecSetEncapSocketOwner of XfrmController.cpp, there is a possible failure to initialize a security feature due to uninitialized data. This could lead to local denial of service of IPsec on sockets with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android Versions: Android-9.0 Android ID: A-111650288
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9511 represents a critical security flaw within the Android operating system's implementation of IPsec functionality. This issue resides in the XfrmController.cpp source file where the ipSecSetEncapSocketOwner function fails to properly initialize a security feature, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized system access or service disruption. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 9.0 versions and is catalogued under Android ID A-111650288, highlighting its significance within the mobile security landscape.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper initialization of security parameters within the IPsec socket handling mechanism. When the ipSecSetEncapSocketOwner function processes socket ownership assignments, it fails to properly initialize certain security features that should be established before the socket operations commence. This uninitialized data state creates a condition where the security controls intended to protect IPsec communications may not function as designed, potentially allowing malicious actors to exploit the inconsistent security state. The flaw manifests as a failure to initialize critical security features that are essential for maintaining the integrity of IPsec socket communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the Android security architecture that could be exploited to compromise network communications. The vulnerability's local nature means that any application running on the device could potentially trigger the exploit without requiring additional privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications have access to the system. The lack of user interaction requirements significantly reduces the attack surface and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation in real-world scenarios.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables in security contexts, and demonstrates how improper initialization can create security weaknesses that bypass intended protection mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a privilege escalation or persistence tactic, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate network traffic or disrupt critical communication services. The vulnerability's classification as a local denial of service means that it could be used to compromise the availability of IPsec services, which are critical for secure communications in enterprise and mobile environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9511 should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as well as network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to identify unauthorized changes to IPsec socket configurations and establish network segmentation to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all Android devices are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and consider implementing additional network security controls to protect against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper initialization practices in security-critical code and highlights the need for comprehensive code reviews focusing on security feature implementation.