CVE-2019-11933 in libpl_droidsonroids_gif
Summary
by MITRE
A heap buffer overflow bug in libpl_droidsonroids_gif before 1.2.19, as used in WhatsApp for Android before version 2.19.291 could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2019
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11933 affects the libpl_droidsonroids_gif library version prior to 1.2.19, which was integrated into WhatsApp for Android applications. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to exploit the application through maliciously crafted animated gif files. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the gif parsing functionality, creating a scenario where buffer boundaries are exceeded during memory allocation operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the library's handling of gif image data structures, specifically during the parsing of image dimensions and frame data. When processing specially crafted gif files, the library fails to properly validate the size parameters of image frames, leading to a situation where heap memory allocated for image data can be overwritten beyond its intended boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical vulnerability in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability occurs due to insufficient bounds checking when processing image metadata, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code through controlled buffer overflows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability within WhatsApp for Android is severe, as it enables remote code execution attacks that could compromise user devices without any user interaction required. Attackers can deliver malicious gif files through various communication channels including messages, social media, or compromised websites, making the attack surface extremely broad. The vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or denial of service conditions that render the application unusable. This risk is particularly concerning given WhatsApp's widespread adoption and the sensitive nature of the communications it handles, potentially exposing personal information, financial data, and private conversations to unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected library to version 1.2.19 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory management controls. Organizations should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious gif file attachments and deploy mobile device management solutions that can automatically update applications and libraries. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with gif-based buffer overflow exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted gif files, and organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing mobile application security vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in mobile application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution through malicious file attachments.