CVE-2019-2058 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libAACdec, there is a possible out of bounds read. This could lead to remote information disclosure, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: Android Versions: Android-10 Android ID: A-136089102
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2058 affects the libAACdec component within Android systems, specifically manifesting in Android 10 operating on devices with Android ID A-136089102. This issue represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition that exists within the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio decoding library, which forms part of the multimedia framework responsible for processing audio content. The flaw occurs during the parsing of AAC audio streams where insufficient bounds checking allows memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the AAC decoder implementation, specifically when processing malformed or specially crafted audio data. When an attacker constructs malicious AAC audio content that exploits the buffer overread condition, the decoder attempts to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This behavior can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions, including cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" which directly relates to the insufficient bounds checking mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2058 is significant as it enables remote information disclosure without requiring any special privileges or execution capabilities from the attacker. The vulnerability requires only user interaction to exploit, typically through the delivery of malicious audio content via email attachments, messaging applications, or web-based audio streams. Once triggered, the out-of-bounds read can potentially reveal confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks, including credential theft or system compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 where adversaries collect data from local systems, and T1059 which involves executing malicious code through system interfaces.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how multimedia processing libraries can serve as attack vectors in modern operating systems. The fact that no additional execution privileges are required makes this particularly concerning as it can be exploited through standard user interactions without requiring administrative rights or special malware installation. The remote information disclosure capability means that attackers can potentially access sensitive data from devices without physical access or complex attack chains. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Android 10, monitoring for suspicious audio content delivery, and considering network-based filtering of audio content from untrusted sources to prevent exploitation attempts.