CVE-2019-2189 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the Easel driver, there is possible memory corruption due to race conditions. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-112312381
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2189 resides within the Easel driver component of the Android kernel, representing a critical memory corruption issue that stems from race condition vulnerabilities. This flaw exists in the kernel-level graphics driver infrastructure that manages hardware acceleration for graphical operations and multimedia processing. The Easel driver specifically handles GPU command processing and memory management for Android devices, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared memory resources simultaneously without proper synchronization mechanisms, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to leverage the race condition within the Easel driver to corrupt memory structures that govern system-level operations. This memory corruption can occur during concurrent access to GPU command buffers or shared memory regions where proper locking mechanisms fail to prevent simultaneous read and write operations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can grant attackers System execution privileges, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible system permissions. The vulnerability does not require user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically through normal device operations or malicious applications that utilize graphics processing capabilities.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to Android device integrity and user privacy. The local escalation of privilege means that an attacker with minimal initial access could potentially gain complete system control, enabling them to access all user data, modify system files, install malicious applications, or establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond individual devices to potentially compromise entire device fleets, especially in enterprise environments where Android devices are widely deployed. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel directly, making it challenging to mitigate without system-level updates and device reboots, as the flaw exists in the core operating system components that manage hardware interactions.
The exploitation of CVE-2019-2189 aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploits and system binary exploitation. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates how hardware abstraction layers and kernel drivers can become attack surfaces when proper concurrency controls are absent. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols to address this vulnerability, as the window of opportunity for exploitation remains open until devices are updated with patched kernel components. Security teams must also monitor for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized system access or abnormal GPU command processing patterns that might suggest exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of robust kernel-level security controls and proper synchronization mechanisms in preventing race condition-based exploits that can compromise entire system architectures.