CVE-2019-2152 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-118145923
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2152 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the audio decoding framework. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted audio files that contain malformed AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) data structures. The missing bounds check occurs during the parsing of audio frame headers where the application fails to verify that array indices or buffer offsets remain within acceptable limits before accessing memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through the delivery of malicious audio content that triggers the vulnerable code path within libxaac. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application-level vulnerabilities to execute malicious code or extract sensitive information. The vulnerability maps to CWE-129 - Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses the lack of bounds checking in array access operations. When a user plays or processes the malicious audio file, the decoder attempts to read memory beyond its allocated bounds, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions including system credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant security weakness in Android's media processing pipeline. Attackers could potentially construct audio files that, when played through standard media applications, would leak memory contents to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability particularly affects Android 10 systems where the libxaac library serves as a core component for audio decoding. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning from a threat modeling perspective, as it can be leveraged through common user interactions such as opening email attachments or visiting malicious websites that deliver audio content. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign media processing functions can become attack vectors for information extraction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2152 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android security updates released in 2019 addressed this vulnerability through enhanced bounds checking within the libxaac library, ensuring proper validation of array indices before memory access operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all Android 10 devices. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level filtering to block suspicious audio content, utilizing mobile device management solutions to enforce security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of media processing applications. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls related to information system monitoring and vulnerability management, emphasizing the importance of continuous security assessment and remediation processes. The vulnerability also highlights the critical need for secure coding practices in multimedia processing libraries, particularly regarding input validation and memory safety mechanisms.