CVE-2018-9592 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In mca_ccb_hdl_rsp of mca_cact.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 read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Android ID: A-116319076.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9592 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth communication stack of multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9. This issue resides in the mca_ccb_hdl_rsp function within the mca_cact.cc source file, which is part of the Bluetooth subsystem responsible for handling connection control block responses. The flaw stems from the absence of proper bounds checking when processing incoming Bluetooth packets, specifically those related to connection management and control block handling. This missing validation creates a scenario where malicious actors can craft specially formatted Bluetooth packets that trigger memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Bluetooth stack's handling of response packets in the context of connection control blocks, where the system fails to validate the length or content of incoming data before processing it. When the mca_ccb_hdl_rsp function receives a malformed response packet, it proceeds to read data from memory locations that may contain confidential information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive operational data. The absence of bounds checking means that the system does not verify whether the data being read falls within the expected memory boundaries of the allocated buffer, creating a predictable memory access pattern that can be exploited by attackers. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as "Improper Validation of Array Index" and falls within the broader category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the context of mobile operating systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant threat to the confidentiality of Android devices. Attackers can exploit this flaw remotely without requiring any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is constantly enabled and connected to other devices. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require additional execution privileges, meaning that even basic Bluetooth connectivity can serve as an attack vector. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which describes the use of network services to establish initial access points. The information disclosed through this vulnerability could include sensitive session data, cryptographic material, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, or more sophisticated exploitation of the device's security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9592 require immediate patching of affected Android versions through official security updates provided by device manufacturers. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of Bluetooth traffic for anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on malformed response packets that could trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. Network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services when not actively required. Device manufacturers should enhance their code review processes to specifically identify and address similar bounds checking issues in other Bluetooth-related components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of memory safety practices and proper input validation in mobile operating systems, particularly in security-critical components such as wireless communication stacks. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious Bluetooth communication patterns provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability, continuous security assessment of mobile device firmware and regular security updates remain essential practices for maintaining device integrity and protecting against similar memory safety issues that could compromise user privacy and system security.