CVE-2019-2140 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac, there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112705708
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2140 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue represents a classic case of information disclosure through uninitialized memory access, where the system fails to properly initialize certain data structures before utilizing them. The flaw manifests in the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio processing subsystem, which is responsible for handling compressed audio data streams. The vulnerability falls under CWE-457 which specifically addresses the use of uninitialized variables, a fundamental programming error that can lead to unpredictable behavior and information leakage. The security implications are particularly concerning as the flaw does not require any special privileges or execution rights to exploit, making it accessible to potential attackers with minimal access rights.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, typically through the manipulation of audio files or media content that triggers the problematic code path within libxaac. When the audio processing component encounters malformed or specially crafted audio data, it accesses memory locations that have not been properly initialized, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This information disclosure could include fragments of system memory, previously processed data, or even credentials and cryptographic keys that may have resided in the uninitialized memory areas. The attack vector typically involves the delivery of malicious audio content through various channels such as email attachments, web downloads, or media sharing platforms, where users might unknowingly trigger the vulnerable code path upon playback or processing of the content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant concern for Android device security as it enables information leakage without requiring elevated privileges or user consent beyond the initial interaction with potentially malicious content. The attack surface is broad given that audio processing is a common function across all Android devices, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable on a massive scale. The information that could be disclosed includes system memory contents, application data, or even sensitive cryptographic information that might be stored in memory prior to the uninitialized access. Security analysts have noted that such information disclosure vulnerabilities can serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, as the leaked data might provide attackers with insights into system memory layouts, application structures, or even partial credentials that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2140 primarily focus on the timely application of security patches and updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. Android 10 users should ensure their devices receive the relevant security updates that address this specific vulnerability in the libxaac library. System administrators and security professionals should also implement monitoring for suspicious audio file handling activities and consider network-level filtering of potentially malicious media content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory initialization practices in security-critical code components and highlights the need for comprehensive code review processes that identify uninitialized variable usage. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as sandboxing audio processing components and limiting the execution privileges of media handling applications to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation or information gathering technique where adversaries can leverage uninitialized memory access to extract sensitive data from system memory.