CVE-2019-9232 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libvpx, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. 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-122675483
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2019-9232 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in the libvpx library, a widely used VP8 and VP9 video codec implementation that forms the foundation of multimedia processing across numerous platforms including Android systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing bounds check within the video decoding logic that processes compressed video frames. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the decoder encounters malformed or specially crafted video data during the decompression process, where insufficient validation of array indices or buffer boundaries allows the code to access memory locations beyond the intended data structure. Such a flaw exists in the decoding pipeline where the library fails to properly verify that decoded values remain within expected parameter ranges before using them as array offsets or buffer sizes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple memory access violations, as it enables remote information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious video content through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or streaming services, with the vulnerable Android system automatically processing the media content upon consumption. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered silently in background processes or automated media handling scenarios, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents including cryptographic keys, personal data, or system credentials that might be stored in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability affects Android 10 systems and represents a significant risk to user privacy and system security.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array index values, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for process injection and T1566 for phishing with social engineering. The flaw demonstrates how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors for information disclosure attacks, particularly when dealing with untrusted input data. The exploitation requires no privilege escalation since the vulnerability exists within the standard library processing path, making it accessible to attackers with minimal attack surface requirements. Android security model relies heavily on proper input validation in system libraries, and this vulnerability undermines that trust model by allowing attackers to extract potentially sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected. The affected Android ID A-122675483 confirms this issue was properly tracked and addressed within Google's security framework, highlighting the importance of comprehensive input validation in multimedia codecs. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including system updates, input sanitization measures, and network-based filtering of potentially malicious media content to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.