CVE-2019-2062 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac, 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-10Android ID: A-117660045
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2062 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 implementations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that manifests as a potential out of bounds write condition, fundamentally compromising the integrity of memory management within the audio processing subsystem. The issue stems from a complete absence of bounds checking mechanisms when handling audio data processing operations, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory locations beyond their intended boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which categorizes improper bounds checking as a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management. The flaw occurs during the processing of audio data streams where the libxaac library fails to validate the size or boundaries of incoming audio frames before writing to allocated memory segments. This missing validation allows an attacker to craft specially malformed audio data that, when processed by the vulnerable library, causes memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, typically through the delivery of malicious audio content that triggers the affected library during normal playback operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation concerns, as it enables remote code execution without requiring any additional execution privileges or elevated access rights. This characteristic places the vulnerability in a particularly dangerous category within the ATT&CK framework, specifically aligning with techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability exists within a core system library that processes audio data across multiple applications and services, making it potentially exploitable through various attack vectors including malicious media files, network streams, or even through compromised applications that utilize the affected library.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and bounds checking in system libraries, particularly those handling multimedia data processing. Android's security model relies heavily on proper memory management and input validation to prevent such critical flaws from being exploited. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat underscores the necessity for comprehensive security testing of system libraries, particularly those involved in multimedia processing where data integrity is paramount. Organizations must implement robust patch management strategies to address this vulnerability promptly, as the lack of additional privileges required for exploitation makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise Android devices through seemingly benign media content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2062 should encompass both immediate patch deployment and broader security hardening measures. The Android security team has addressed this vulnerability through system updates that implement proper bounds checking mechanisms within the libxaac library, ensuring that all incoming audio data is validated before memory operations occur. Security professionals should prioritize the deployment of these patches across all affected Android 10 devices and implement monitoring for any suspicious audio processing activities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based filtering for audio content and establishing robust application sandboxing measures to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous security assessments of system libraries and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all device components.