CVE-2019-1990 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ihevcd_fmt_conv_420sp_to_420p of ihevcd_fmt_conv.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9Android ID: A-118453553
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1990 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the ihevcd video decoding library component of Android systems. This issue exists specifically in the ihevcd_fmt_conv_420sp_to_420p function located in the ihevcd_fmt_conv.c source file, where inadequate bounds checking allows for memory corruption during video format conversion operations. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters during the conversion process from 420sp (semi-planar) to 420p (planar) video formats, creating a scenario where malicious input could cause the decoder to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the video decoder's handling of format conversion operations where the software fails to verify that input data dimensions and buffer sizes remain within expected limits. When processing specially crafted video content, the ihevcd component attempts to write data to memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program data structures. This memory corruption can occur during normal video playback operations when the system processes malformed video streams, particularly those containing crafted dimensions or metadata that exceed expected parameters. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through video processing components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable remote code execution without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction beyond the initial exploitation trigger. Attackers can leverage this flaw by delivering malicious video content through various channels such as email attachments, web downloads, or messaging applications that utilize Android's video processing capabilities. Once successfully exploited, the out-of-bounds write could allow adversaries to overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code, potentially gaining full control over the affected device. The attack surface is broad as this vulnerability affects core video processing functionality that is utilized across multiple Android applications and system components, including web browsers, media players, and messaging applications that handle video content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1990 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which typically include enhanced bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the ihevcd library. System administrators and device manufacturers should implement proactive monitoring for suspicious video processing activities and consider network-level filtering of potentially malicious media content. Additional protective measures include enabling Android's built-in security features such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries, while also implementing application sandboxing to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Android versions and ensure timely deployment of security patches, as this vulnerability represents a significant risk to mobile device security and could enable persistent threat actor access to affected devices.