CVE-2019-2161 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-112553431
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2161 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 system fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The flaw manifests in the audio processing subsystem where the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) decoding functionality does not properly verify the bounds of data structures before reading from them. Such missing validation creates a scenario where maliciously crafted audio files could trigger memory access violations that reveal sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability's classification as a missing bounds check directly aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-131, which covers incorrect calculation of buffer or array size. The attack vector requires user interaction as exploitation necessitates the deliberate execution of a specially crafted audio file or media content that triggers the vulnerable code path. This requirement for user interaction places the vulnerability in the context of social engineering attacks where users must be convinced to open malicious media files, making it particularly relevant to the ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could potentially contain sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential information. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges, meaning that an attacker could leverage this weakness without needing root access or administrative rights, which significantly broadens the potential attack surface and makes it particularly concerning for mobile environments where user interaction is common. The Android ID A-112553431 indicates this vulnerability was tracked within Google's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting the severity and classification within their security framework. The memory disclosure aspect of this vulnerability creates a potential information leakage scenario that could aid attackers in conducting further reconnaissance or developing more sophisticated attacks against the target system. The fact that this vulnerability affects the libxaac library means it impacts audio processing capabilities across various Android applications that utilize AAC decoding, potentially exposing numerous endpoints to information disclosure risks. The absence of privilege escalation requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content, as it creates a persistent risk for information leakage through routine media consumption activities. Security researchers have noted that such out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more serious exploits, as the leaked information can provide attackers with insights into memory layout and system structure. The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability typically involves applying the appropriate security patches provided by Google through their regular security updates, ensuring that the libxaac library is updated to a version that includes proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-based monitoring to detect suspicious media file patterns and consider deploying application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of potentially malicious audio content. The vulnerability's impact on Android 10 systems underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the ongoing challenges in securing multimedia processing components that handle complex data formats.