CVE-2019-2129 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In extract3GPPGlobalDescriptions of TextDescriptions.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure 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-124781927.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2129 resides within the extract3GPPGlobalDescriptions function in the TextDescriptions.cpp file of Android's multimedia processing framework. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly impacts the integrity of memory access operations within the application's processing pipeline. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking when processing 3GPP global descriptions within multimedia content. When Android processes certain multimedia files containing malformed 3GPP descriptions, the system attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries without validating whether the access operation remains within the valid array limits. This condition allows an attacker to craft specially formatted multimedia content that triggers the out-of-bounds read, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents to unauthorized access. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the multimedia framework, specifically targeting the text description parsing component that handles 3GPP format specifications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for remote information disclosure attacks that require no additional execution privileges beyond the ability to deliver malicious content to a target device. The exploitation requires user interaction, typically through the delivery of crafted multimedia files via email, messaging applications, or web downloads, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as it leverages social engineering to deliver malicious content that triggers the vulnerability during normal user operations. The potential impact includes exposure of sensitive system information, memory corruption, and possible privilege escalation pathways.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2129 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations should ensure all affected Android devices receive the latest security patches, particularly focusing on the specific multimedia processing components that handle 3GPP content. System administrators should implement proactive monitoring for suspicious multimedia content and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can automatically apply security updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering mechanisms that can detect and block potentially malicious multimedia files before they reach end-user devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in mobile operating systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of multimedia processing components.