CVE-2019-2167 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-118615501
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2167 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 installations. This issue represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from the improper handling of uninitialized data structures within the audio codec processing pipeline. The flaw manifests when the system processes audio data through the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) decoding functionality, where certain memory regions are not properly initialized before being utilized in subsequent operations. This uninitialized data exposure creates a potential avenue for attackers to extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain pristine during normal operation. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the multimedia framework, specifically within the audio processing subsystem that handles AAC format decoding and encoding operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction to initiate the malicious conditions that trigger the information disclosure. An attacker would need to convince a user to perform specific actions that cause the system to process audio content through the affected libxaac library, such as playing a specially crafted audio file or engaging with multimedia content that utilizes AAC encoding. The attack vector typically involves manipulating the audio processing pipeline to force the system into using uninitialized memory segments, which may contain remnants of previously processed data, passwords, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive information from the device's memory space. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-457 category of "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and represents a classic example of information leakage through improper memory management practices. The exploitation process does not require elevated privileges since it operates within the normal user execution context of standard multimedia applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2167 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially expose sensitive data that may aid in more sophisticated attacks. When uninitialized memory contains remnants of previous operations, it may include confidential information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application data that could be extracted by an attacker. The vulnerability affects the Android operating system's multimedia framework, particularly impacting applications that rely on AAC audio processing capabilities including media players, voice recording applications, and communication tools. The potential for this information to be used in subsequent attacks makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could serve as a stepping stone for more advanced exploitation techniques. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059 for execution and T1005 for data from local system, representing both the execution of malicious payloads and the extraction of sensitive information from compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2167 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android users should ensure their systems are updated to the latest security patches that address this specific vulnerability within the libxaac library. The patch implementation typically involves proper initialization of memory structures before data processing operations commence, ensuring that uninitialized variables are properly cleared or populated with valid data before use. Organizations should implement monitoring systems to detect unusual audio processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious audio content and establish security awareness training to prevent users from inadvertently triggering exploitation through social engineering attacks. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar uninitialized variable issues in other components of the multimedia framework that might present similar security risks. The remediation process should also include proper code review practices that enforce memory initialization requirements as part of the development lifecycle, preventing similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases of the system components.