CVE-2019-2180 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ippSetValueTag of ipp.c in Android 8.0, 8.1 and 9, there is a possible out of bounds read due to improper input validation. This could lead to local information disclosure from the printer service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2180 resides within the Internet Printing Protocol implementation in Android versions 8.0, 8.1, and 9. This issue manifests in the ippSetValueTag function located in the ipp.c source file, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized information disclosure through printer service interactions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify data structures before processing, creating a pathway for out of bounds read conditions that can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or user interaction.
The technical flaw operates through improper bounds checking during the processing of IPP data structures, specifically when handling tag values within the printer service framework. When the ippSetValueTag function processes incoming data, it does not adequately validate the boundaries of memory allocations or data buffer limits, allowing maliciously crafted IPP packets to trigger memory access violations that result in information disclosure. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of out of bounds read conditions that can expose sensitive memory contents to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive data that may be stored within the printer service memory space. Since the exploitation requires no additional execution privileges and does not necessitate user interaction, it represents a particularly dangerous flaw that can be leveraged by malicious actors in passive attack scenarios. The printer service in Android systems often handles confidential document processing and may contain information about network configurations, user credentials, or other sensitive data that could be extracted through this vulnerability.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the information gathering and credential access phases where adversaries may attempt to extract sensitive data from system services. The vulnerability's location within the Android printing subsystem makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where print services are frequently utilized and may contain confidential information. Organizations should prioritize patching affected Android versions as soon as possible, as the lack of user interaction requirements significantly increases the attack surface and potential for automated exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in system services and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all components within the Android printing stack.