CVE-2019-2097 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In HAliasAnalyzer.Query of hydrogen-alias-analysis.h, there is possible memory corruption due to type confusion. This could lead to remote code execution from a malicious proxy configuration, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9. Android ID: A-117606285.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2097 resides within the HAliasAnalyzer.Query component of the hydrogen-alias-analysis.h file, representing a critical type confusion flaw that can result in memory corruption within Android operating systems. This issue affects multiple Android versions 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 vulnerability stems from improper type handling during alias analysis operations, where the system fails to correctly validate data types during processing, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted inputs.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-415, which describes improper handling of type confusion in memory management, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through proxy configuration manipulation. The flaw specifically manifests when the HAliasAnalyzer.Query function processes alias analysis requests, where type confusion occurs between different data structures during memory allocation and access operations. This type confusion allows attackers to corrupt memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, which in this case would be the system process handling proxy configurations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2097 is particularly severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges beyond what is already granted to the proxy configuration mechanism. This means that an attacker could potentially compromise Android devices simply by configuring a malicious proxy server that triggers the vulnerable code path during normal network operations. The vulnerability operates at the system level within Android's networking stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard network traffic without requiring physical access or user consent. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that this vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate proxy configuration mechanisms that are commonly used in enterprise environments and normal network operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Android versions, as well as network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through proxy configuration changes. Organizations should implement strict proxy server validation and monitoring, particularly in enterprise environments where proxy configurations are commonly managed. The recommended approach includes applying security patches promptly, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual proxy configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary proxy functionality where possible and implementing robust input validation for all proxy-related configuration parameters. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate action and continuous monitoring to prevent potential exploitation in real-world scenarios.