CVE-2019-2105 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In FileInputStream::Read of file_input_stream.cc, there is a possible memory corruption due to uninitialized data. This could lead to remote code execution in an unprivileged process with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is 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-116114182.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-2105 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Android operating system's file input stream handling mechanism. This issue resides in the FileInputStream::Read function implementation within the file_input_stream.cc source file, where uninitialized data is being processed without proper initialization checks. The flaw manifests as a potential memory corruption condition that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution within unprivileged processes. The vulnerability 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 classification aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which is a fundamental security weakness that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to perform a specific action such as opening a malicious file or visiting a compromised website. This interaction requirement reduces the attack surface compared to fully autonomous exploits but still presents a significant risk since user engagement is often achievable through social engineering or phishing campaigns. The memory corruption occurs during the read operation of file input streams, suggesting that any application or system component that processes file data through this mechanism could be vulnerable. The fact that no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers without needing elevated access rights, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the target device with the privileges of the affected process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe threat to Android device security as it enables remote code execution without requiring privileged access, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected devices. The exploitation could lead to data theft, unauthorized access to device functionality, installation of malicious applications, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core file input stream processing capabilities, which are fundamental to Android's operation and could impact numerous applications and system components that rely on file I/O operations. Security researchers have categorized this issue under the ATT&CK framework as part of the Execution tactic, specifically relating to the use of file input/output operations to facilitate malicious code execution. The affected Android versions span a significant portion of the Android user base, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for both individual users and enterprise security teams managing Android devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2105 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting to restrict file processing operations, conducting regular security audits of file input operations, and educating users about the risks of interacting with untrusted files or websites. Device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically deploy security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, particularly when handling file operations and user-provided data. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential exploitation attempts in their networks.