CVE-2019-9234 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In wpa_supplicant_8, 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-122465453
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9234 affects wpa_supplicant version 8 and represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that stems from insufficient input validation. This issue exists within the wireless network authentication component of Android systems, specifically impacting the wpa_supplicant framework responsible for managing wireless security protocols. The vulnerability manifests when processing certain wireless network configuration data, where the software fails to properly validate array bounds before accessing memory locations. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where maliciously crafted wireless network parameters could trigger unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote wireless network configuration manipulation without requiring any privileged execution context or user interaction. An attacker positioned within range of a targeted device could potentially craft malicious wireless network profiles or manipulate existing network configurations to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses issues where array indices are not properly validated before use. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure means that an attacker could potentially extract sensitive data from the device's memory, including potentially confidential network credentials or system information.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9234 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental security weakness in wireless network authentication processes that could enable more sophisticated attacks. When an out-of-bounds read occurs in a security-critical component like wpa_supplicant, the extracted memory contents could reveal sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or internal system states that might be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects Android 10 systems and represents a significant risk to wireless security in mobile environments where users frequently connect to various wireless networks. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the wpa_supplicant codebase and applying the relevant security patches provided by Android vendors. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Android devices to versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as the patch typically involves adding proper input validation before array access operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell and T1566 for Phishing, though the specific exploitation vector would be more aligned with network-based attack patterns. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual wireless network configuration changes that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability, particularly in environments where wireless security is critical. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing wireless network segmentation and monitoring to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.