CVE-2019-2155 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-117655547
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2155 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue manifests as a potential out of bounds read condition that stems from an inadequate bounds check implementation within the audio processing subsystem. The flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and memory safety, where the absence of proper input validation allows for unauthorized data access patterns that could expose sensitive information stored in memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient bounds checking, and represents a classic example of how audio codec libraries can become attack vectors when proper memory management protocols are not implemented. The out of bounds read occurs during the processing of audio data streams, particularly when handling specific AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format files or streams. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious audio content that triggers the flawed memory access pattern, causing the system to read data from adjacent memory locations that may contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant security risk for Android devices running the affected version. While exploitation requires user interaction through the deliberate consumption of crafted audio content, the potential for information leakage creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged by adversaries to gather intelligence about device configurations, user data, or system internals. The vulnerability's classification as requiring user interaction aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of audio-based attack vectors, though the specific exploitation mechanism remains within the bounds of legitimate media processing functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation efforts and long-term architectural improvements. Android security updates addressing this issue would involve patching the libxaac library with proper bounds checking mechanisms that validate all input data before processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual audio processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability underscores the importance of rigorous input validation in multimedia processing components and highlights how seemingly benign functionality can become security risks when proper safeguards are absent.