CVE-2019-2015 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In rw_t3t_act_handle_check_rsp of rw_t3t.cc, there is a possible out-of-bound write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege 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-120503926
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2015 resides within the Android system's NFC (Near Field Communication) stack, specifically in the rw_t3t_act_handle_check_rsp function located in the rw_t3t.cc source file. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array boundaries before performing memory operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions, making it a critical security concern for mobile platforms that rely heavily on NFC functionality. The affected Android versions span across multiple major releases including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the NFC stack's Type 3 Tag handling mechanism. When processing NFC responses from certain tags, the system attempts to write data to memory locations without properly verifying that the target buffer has sufficient capacity to accommodate the incoming data. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where malicious NFC tags could potentially trigger memory corruption, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges beyond normal NFC operations, making it exploitable through legitimate NFC interactions. The Android ID A-120503926 further emphasizes the severity and the specific nature of the flaw within the platform's NFC subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction for the initial exploitation phase. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain elevated privileges on the device, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level permissions. The local escalation of privilege means that an attacker could gain root access to the device through NFC interactions, which is particularly dangerous since NFC is commonly enabled and used for various legitimate purposes such as payment transactions, device pairing, and data exchange. This vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which malicious actors could compromise Android devices simply by having them come into proximity with specially crafted NFC tags, making it a significant threat vector for targeted attacks and supply chain compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2015 should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which typically include bounds checking mechanisms and memory validation routines. Organizations should implement NFC security policies that limit NFC functionality in sensitive environments and consider disabling NFC when not actively required for operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in systems handling external data inputs such as NFC communications. Security teams should monitor for any exploitation attempts through network-based detection systems and implement device monitoring to identify potential privilege escalation activities. Additionally, regular security assessments of NFC implementations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Android platform, as this type of flaw often indicates broader issues with memory safety in embedded systems.