CVE-2019-5282 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Bastet module of some Huawei smartphones with Versions earlier than Emily-AL00A 9.0.0.182(C00E82R1P21), Versions earlier than Emily-TL00B 9.0.0.182(C01E82R1P21), Versions earlier than Emily-L09C 9.0.0.203(C432E7R1P11), Versions earlier than Emily-L29C 9.0.0.203(C432E7R1P11), Versions earlier than Emily-L29C 9.0.0.202(C185E2R1P12) have a double free vulnerability. An attacker tricks the user into installing a malicious application, which frees on the same memory address twice. Successful exploit could result in malicious code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5282 affects the bastet module in various Huawei smartphone models running Android 9.0.0. The bastet module represents a critical system component responsible for managing network connectivity and communication protocols within the device's operating environment. This particular vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the module's implementation, creating a scenario where memory deallocation occurs twice on the same memory address. The affected versions include multiple iterations of the Emily series with specific build numbers indicating the scope of impacted devices. The vulnerability manifests through a double free condition that occurs when the system processes certain network-related operations or when malicious applications attempt to manipulate the module's memory allocation patterns.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of memory deallocation within the bastet module's code structure, which falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-415, representing double free conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector where an adversary must first deceive a user into installing a malicious application that specifically targets the bastet module's memory management functions. Once installed, the malicious application can trigger the double free condition by manipulating the module's internal state to cause a memory address to be freed twice. The underlying mechanism involves the module's failure to properly track memory allocation status, allowing the same memory region to be marked as available for reuse multiple times, which creates a predictable memory corruption pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable full system compromise through malicious code execution. The double free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the bastet module. This represents a significant security risk because the bastet module operates with elevated privileges and handles critical network communication functions. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or complete device compromise, as the attacker could leverage the compromised module to establish unauthorized network connections or manipulate system communications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the bastet module operates continuously and maintains persistent network connectivity, providing multiple opportunities for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the memory management flaw in affected device models. System administrators should implement strict application installation policies and user education programs to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could trigger the vulnerability. The recommended approach includes deploying mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious application behavior and prevent installation of potentially malicious software. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, representing application execution through malicious code injection, and T1068, representing exploit for privilege escalation. Regular security audits of system components should include memory safety checks and validation of heap management functions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other modules. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper memory management, particularly in system-level components that handle sensitive network operations and maintain elevated privileges.