CVE-2018-9578 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ixheaacd_adts_crc_start_reg of ixheaacd_adts_crc_check.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: Android-9. Android ID: A-113261928.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9578 resides within the ixheaacd_adts_crc_start_reg function of the ixheaacd_adts_crc_check.c file in Android's audio decoding component. This flaw represents a critical out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array boundaries before performing memory operations. The issue is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds checking vulnerability, where the software does not adequately verify that array indices remain within valid ranges before accessing memory locations. The vulnerability affects Android 9.0 and represents a significant security concern as it enables remote privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check in the audio frame processing logic within the AAC decoder. When processing ADTS (Audio Data Transport Stream) frames, the ixheaacd_adts_crc_start_reg function attempts to write data to memory locations without validating whether the target buffer indices exceed allocated memory boundaries. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and specifically targets weaknesses in input validation and memory management. The absence of proper boundary validation allows an attacker to potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data, which could result in arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a path for remote attackers to escalate privileges on affected Android devices without requiring user interaction or additional privileges. This means that an attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability through network-based attacks such as malicious audio files or streaming content, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a remote privilege escalation means that it could be leveraged to gain root access to the device, enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The Android ID A-113261928 indicates this was a significant security flaw that required immediate attention and patching across affected Android versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9578 should focus on implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms within the audio decoding library and ensuring that all array access operations include proper validation before memory writes occur. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the latest security patches provided by Google and Android vendors to address this vulnerability. The fix typically involves adding proper input validation and boundary checks to prevent out-of-bounds memory writes, which aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines. Additionally, implementing memory safety features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and code integrity checks can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.