CVE-2019-2163 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-118138797
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2163 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 releases. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the library fails to properly validate input data boundaries before processing audio content. The flaw manifests in the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio decoding functionality where the application does not perform adequate bounds checking on decoded audio data, creating a potential pathway for information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the AAC decoding pipeline. When processing malformed or specially crafted audio files, the libxaac library attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This behavior creates a scenario where adjacent memory segments containing sensitive data may be inadvertently exposed to the application. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, typically through the delivery of malicious audio content that triggers the problematic code path during playback or processing operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security concern for Android devices as it enables information disclosure without requiring elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory regions including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The requirement for user interaction limits the automated exploitation potential but does not eliminate the threat, as users may encounter malicious audio content through various attack vectors such as email attachments, messaging applications, or malicious websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input data, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through audio manipulation.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2163 primarily involve applying the Android security patch released by Google, which includes updated versions of the libxaac library with proper bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should ensure timely deployment of the security update to protect against exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should avoid downloading audio content from untrusted sources and maintain current security software updates. Organizations implementing mobile device management solutions should prioritize the deployment of this patch across all affected Android devices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality can create significant security risks when proper boundary checks are omitted from the implementation.