CVE-2018-9554 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In dumpExtractors of IMediaExtractor.cp, there is a possible disclosure of recently accessed media files due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local information disclosure 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 ID: A-114770654.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9554 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media extraction framework that affects multiple versions of the operating system. This issue resides in the dumpExtractors component of IMediaExtractor.cp, which serves as a core interface for extracting metadata and content from various media file formats. The flaw stems from inadequate permission controls that allow unauthorized access to recently processed media files, creating a significant security gap in the Android platform's information protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the media extraction subsystem that handles various audio and video formats, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of multimedia content on mobile devices. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-284 permission bypass category, where insufficient access controls enable unauthorized data exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data breaches through application vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper access control validation within the media extraction process, where the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting process has appropriate authorization to access recently processed media files. When media files are processed through the dumpExtractors functionality, the system should enforce strict permission checks to ensure that only authorized applications or system components can access this information. However, the flaw allows any local process to potentially access recently accessed media files without requiring additional privileges or user interaction, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries that should protect sensitive media content. This permission bypass occurs at the system level within the media framework, where the extraction process does not properly validate the calling process's security context or required permissions before exposing media file information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential exposure of sensitive user data contained within media files. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access recently played audio or video content, potentially including personal recordings, business communications, or other sensitive multimedia data that users expect to remain private. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically by malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges. This characteristic places the risk squarely within the ATT&CK matrix under T1059 for execution through legitimate system processes, where adversaries can use existing system capabilities to access restricted information. The affected Android versions span a significant portion of the mobile ecosystem, including the widely deployed Android 7.x and 8.x releases, meaning that a substantial number of devices could be vulnerable to this information disclosure attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9554 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as Google released corresponding fixes for affected versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of media processing activities and establish strict access controls for media-related system components. System administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as application sandboxing and privilege escalation controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in system-level components, particularly those handling sensitive user data. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of media processing frameworks and ensure that all system components properly validate access permissions before exposing sensitive information. This flaw underscores the need for robust security practices in mobile operating systems where applications interact with system-level media processing capabilities, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized data access.