CVE-2019-2144 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112856493
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2144 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 installations. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when processing audio data through the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) decoding functionality, where the application fails to properly verify array indices before accessing memory locations. Such missing bounds checks create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to extract sensitive information from memory regions that should remain protected.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-129 category of "Improper Input Validation" and more specifically aligns with CWE-125 which addresses "Out-of-Bounds Read" conditions. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to perform a specific action such as opening a malicious file or visiting a compromised website. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specially formatted audio content that triggers the flawed memory access pattern, potentially exposing kernel memory contents, stack data, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with insights into system memory layout and potentially sensitive data structures. In the context of the Android security model, this could enable adversaries to gather information that might aid in bypassing memory protection mechanisms or developing more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The fact that no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation makes this particularly concerning as it reduces the attack surface and allows for more widespread compromise. The vulnerability's classification under the Android ID A-112856493 indicates its severity within Google's vulnerability tracking system and its inclusion in the Android Security Bulletins.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2144 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the libxaac library and ensuring that all array accesses are validated against their legitimate bounds. System administrators and developers should prioritize updating to the latest Android 10 security patches that address this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of audio decoding libraries. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability, as the information disclosure aspect could be used to gather intelligence for more advanced attacks.