CVE-2018-9571 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In impd_parse_loud_eq_instructions of impd_drc_dynamic_payload.c there is a possible out-of-bound write due to missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: Android-9. Android ID: A-116020594.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9571 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Android media processing subsystem, specifically affecting the dynamic range compression (DRC) functionality. This issue resides in the impd_parse_loud_eq_instructions function located within the impd_drc_dynamic_payload.c source file, which is part of the Android media framework responsible for handling digital audio processing instructions. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted audio data that contains malformed dynamic range compression payloads, creating a scenario where the application fails to validate array boundaries before writing data to memory locations outside the intended buffer allocation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious audio content that triggers the vulnerable parsing function when the Android system processes dynamic range compression instructions. The missing bounds check allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program state information. This memory corruption can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution, as the attacker can manipulate the program flow to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected media processing service. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, typically through the playback of malicious audio content, which aligns with the Android security model's approach to mitigating privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it affects the core media processing capabilities of Android devices and can potentially compromise the entire system integrity. The vulnerability affects Android 9.0 and earlier versions, representing a significant security gap in the platform's media handling capabilities. The flaw's classification as a CWE-129 weakness indicates an insufficient bounds check vulnerability, while its potential for remote code execution maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for execution. The vulnerability demonstrates how audio processing components can serve as attack vectors for system compromise, particularly in environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9571 primarily focus on implementing proper bounds checking within the affected parsing function and ensuring that all input data undergoes rigorous validation before processing. Android security patches address this issue by introducing additional boundary checks and input sanitization mechanisms within the dynamic range compression processing pipeline. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Android security updates and ensure that all media processing components maintain strict input validation practices. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing for media processing libraries and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms in all system components that handle external data processing.