CVE-2019-9233 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In wpa_supplicant_8, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect 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-122529021
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9233 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the wpa_supplicant_8 implementation that affects Android 10 systems. This issue stems from an improper bounds checking mechanism that allows malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically resides in the wireless networking component responsible for managing wireless protected access supplicant functionality, which is fundamental to secure wireless communications in mobile devices. The flaw enables attackers to extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected, potentially exposing confidential data such as network credentials, cryptographic keys, or system configuration details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer over-read condition where the software fails to properly validate input data boundaries before processing wireless network configuration parameters. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and represents a significant weakness in the memory management protocols of the wireless networking stack. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require any user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely through malicious wireless network configurations or crafted network packets. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform remote information disclosure attacks by simply broadcasting malicious wireless network parameters that trigger the flawed bounds checking logic.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9233 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security of wireless communications on affected Android devices. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive cryptographic material used in wireless authentication processes, which could lead to further exploitation opportunities including man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized network access. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within the core wireless networking infrastructure that operates continuously on mobile devices. This flaw affects all Android 10 implementations and represents a persistent security risk that remains active until proper patching occurs, as the underlying wpa_supplicant_8 component continues to process wireless network configurations without proper boundary validation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9233 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as this vulnerability directly impacts the wireless security framework of mobile devices. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous wireless network behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts, while also considering temporary network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and T1059 which covers command and control communications, as attackers may use the extracted information to establish more sophisticated attack chains. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments focusing on wireless networking components and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing wireless protocol exploitation, given that this vulnerability operates at the network protocol level rather than application level. The flaw's classification as a remote information disclosure vulnerability requires organizations to maintain heightened awareness of wireless network security and implement robust monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized wireless network access attempts.