CVE-2019-2222 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
n ihevcd_parse_slice_data of ihevcd_parse_slice.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10Android ID: A-140322595
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2222 resides within the ihevcd video decoder component of Android systems, specifically in the ihevcd_parse_slice_data function located in the ihevcd_parse_slice.c source file. This represents a critical security flaw that affects multiple Android versions including 8.0, 8.1, 9, and 10, with the Android ID A-140322595 documenting the issue. The vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check during video frame parsing operations, creating a potential out-of-bounds write condition that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when the video decoder processes slice data from potentially malicious video content without proper validation of array indices or buffer boundaries. This missing bounds check allows an attacker to craft specially crafted video files that, when processed by the vulnerable decoder, can cause the program to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer. Such out-of-bounds writes can corrupt adjacent memory regions and potentially overwrite critical program structures or function pointers, leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no additional execution privileges beyond normal user access, making it exploitable through standard user interactions with media content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Attackers can leverage this flaw through crafted video files delivered via various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious streaming content. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability could enable full system control, allowing attackers to install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors. The fact that user interaction is required for exploitation means that social engineering components may be necessary but does not significantly reduce the overall risk, as users commonly interact with multimedia content in daily activities. This vulnerability particularly affects Android devices that process video content through the affected ihevcd decoder, making it a widespread concern across numerous mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2222 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches provided by Android security teams, as these address the root cause through proper bounds checking implementation. Organizations should implement network-level filtering to block potentially malicious video content, particularly when such content originates from untrusted sources or when users are not actively monitoring their media consumption. Security teams should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and restrict media processing capabilities on vulnerable devices. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading media content from untrusted sources and should keep their devices updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a typical example of how media processing components can become attack surfaces for remote code execution. This issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices through the compromised media processing pipeline.