CVE-2019-2145 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-112858430
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2145 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 implementations. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The flaw exists in the audio decoding subsystem where AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) files are processed, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of audio playback functionality across mobile devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check within the audio decoding logic that processes AAC format files. When an attacker crafts a maliciously formatted AAC file, the libxaac library attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and represents a variant of the broader class of memory safety issues that have plagued multimedia processing libraries for decades. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, typically through the delivery of a crafted audio file that triggers the vulnerable code path during playback.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2145 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the out-of-bounds read could potentially reveal sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, system memory contents, or user credentials that happen to reside in adjacent memory regions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by enticing users to play a specially crafted audio file, which would then trigger the vulnerable code path in libxaac. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, though in this case the execution occurs through audio file processing rather than script interpretation. The vulnerability's classification as requiring user interaction makes it particularly dangerous in social engineering contexts where users might unknowingly download and play malicious content from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Android users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest security patches, which typically include fixes for the bounds checking issue in libxaac. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block suspicious audio file downloads and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can prevent installation of untrusted applications. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the audio decoding routines, ensuring that all array accesses are validated against the actual buffer size before any memory operations occur. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their mobile device environments to identify potential exploitation vectors and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence on similar vulnerabilities in multimedia processing components.