CVE-2019-2230 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In nfcManager_routeAid and nfcManager_unrouteAid of NativeNfcManager.cpp, there is possible memory reuse due to a use after free. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-141170038
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2230 resides within the NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem of Android 10 operating on devices that utilize the NativeNfcManager.cpp implementation. This flaw manifests in the nfcManager_routeAid and nfcManager_unrouteAid functions where improper memory management creates conditions conducive to use-after-free attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within the NFC routing mechanisms that govern how application identifiers are managed during near field communication operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a memory reuse scenario where freed memory blocks are accessed after being reallocated for other purposes. When the NFC subsystem processes routing and unrouting operations for application identifiers, the memory management routines fail to properly track or invalidate references to previously freed memory segments. This creates opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the system's memory state and potentially extract sensitive information from the freed memory locations. The use-after-free condition occurs because the system does not adequately enforce memory access controls or validation checks between the deallocation and subsequent reuse of memory blocks within the NFC processing pipeline.
This vulnerability presents significant operational risks as it enables remote information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that NFC operations occur frequently during normal device usage, making the vulnerability accessible through legitimate NFC communication channels. An attacker could potentially leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from the device's memory, including but not limited to authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or personal information stored in memory segments that were previously used for NFC operations. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically during normal NFC device interactions.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation scenarios and system integrity compromise. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and information leakage. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as the memory corruption could enable attackers to manipulate system processes or execute unintended code through memory manipulation techniques. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Android security patches, monitoring NFC-related system calls for anomalous memory access patterns, and considering network-level controls to limit NFC communication where possible.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in system-level components, particularly those handling sensitive communication protocols like NFC. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive memory safety testing and validation of system components that operate with elevated privileges or handle sensitive data. Device manufacturers and security teams should prioritize patch deployment and conduct thorough security assessments of NFC subsystems to prevent exploitation of similar memory management vulnerabilities that could lead to more severe consequences including full system compromise or data exfiltration.