CVE-2019-2170 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-118615735
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2170 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 installations. This issue represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access that can potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability manifests in the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio decoding functionality where certain data structures are not properly initialized before use, creating a pathway for information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw stems from improper memory management within the libxaac library implementation where variables and data buffers are allocated but not adequately initialized before being processed. This uninitialized data may contain remnants of previous operations or system information that persists in memory locations. When the audio decoding process accesses these uninitialized buffers, the residual data can be inadvertently exposed to applications or processes that should not have access to such information. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-457 as "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and represents a significant security concern in audio processing components.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that an attacker cannot simply trigger the flaw remotely or through automated means. Instead, a user must perform a specific action such as playing an audio file or interacting with an application that utilizes the affected libxaac library. This interaction serves as the attack vector, where maliciously crafted audio content could trigger the uninitialized data exposure during the decoding process. The attack requires no additional privileges beyond normal user execution rights, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited through standard user interactions without requiring elevated system access or root privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data could potentially contain sensitive system information, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The exposure of uninitialized memory contents could reveal patterns in system behavior, internal data structures, or even partial contents of other processes running on the device. This information disclosure could enable attackers to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as side-channel analysis, privilege escalation attempts, or targeted exploitation of other system components that might be vulnerable to similar memory handling issues.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to patched versions of the Android operating system where the uninitialized memory handling has been corrected. The fix typically involves ensuring that all data structures and buffers are properly initialized before being used in the audio decoding process. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, application developers should review their audio processing implementations to verify proper memory initialization practices and consider implementing additional input validation and sanitization measures to prevent exploitation of similar uninitialized data vulnerabilities in their own codebases. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and adherence to secure coding standards as outlined in various security frameworks and guidelines.