CVE-2018-9584 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In nfc_ncif_set_config_status of nfc_ncif.cc in Android-7.0, Android-7.1.1, Android-7.1.2, Android-8.0, Android-8.1 and Android-9, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Android ID: A-114047681.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9584 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem of multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9. This issue resides in the nfc_ncif_set_config_status function within the nfc_ncif.cc source file, which forms part of the Android framework's NFC implementation. The flaw stems from a missing bounds check that allows for improper memory access during NFC configuration operations. According to the Android security advisory, this vulnerability specifically affects the NFC controller interface layer where configuration parameters are processed and applied to the NFC hardware components. The absence of proper validation mechanisms means that malicious inputs can cause the system to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which defines out-of-bounds write conditions where an attacker can write data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. The exploitability of this flaw is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction and can be leveraged for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability occurs within the NFC subsystem's configuration handling mechanism, where configuration parameters are passed from userspace to kernel-space components without adequate validation. This allows an attacker with local access to potentially manipulate the NFC stack's memory layout, leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The Android security team assigned the internal identifier A-114047681 to track this vulnerability, indicating its severity and the need for immediate patching across affected Android versions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious NFC configuration parameters that trigger the out-of-bounds write condition when processed by the NFC subsystem. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as the compromised NFC stack can potentially be leveraged to gain elevated privileges within the Android operating system. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where NFC functionality is enabled and accessible to untrusted applications or users. The attack surface is broad given that NFC is a core Android feature present on virtually all modern smartphones and tablets. Security researchers have noted that similar vulnerabilities in NFC stacks have been previously exploited in the wild, making this particular flaw a high-priority target for malicious actors seeking to compromise Android devices.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-9584 involves applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and users should immediately install the latest security patches available for their Android versions, as these updates contain fixes for the bounds checking issue in the NFC subsystem. The patch addresses the missing validation by implementing proper bounds checking before memory writes occur, ensuring that configuration parameters do not exceed the allocated buffer sizes. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as NFC feature restrictions in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. Monitoring for suspicious NFC-related activities and implementing proper access controls for NFC functionality can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected Android versions and prioritize their patching schedules accordingly. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in mobile operating system components, particularly in hardware abstraction layers where system-level operations occur.