CVE-2019-9241 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Bluetooth, 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-121036603
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9241 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Android Bluetooth implementation that exposes devices to remote information disclosure attacks. This issue resides in the Bluetooth subsystem of Android 10 operating systems and affects the core Bluetooth protocol handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during Bluetooth packet processing, specifically when handling malformed or unexpected Bluetooth frames that may be transmitted over the air. Such a flaw allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries without requiring any local privileges or user interaction for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, which describes improper handling of buffer overflows and out-of-bounds reads in software implementations. The flaw manifests when Bluetooth protocol handlers process incoming packets without validating the length or boundaries of data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious Bluetooth frames that trigger memory access violations. This particular implementation error enables remote adversaries to perform information disclosure attacks through the Bluetooth interface, potentially accessing sensitive data that should remain protected within system memory. The attack vector operates entirely over the wireless medium without requiring any form of user interaction, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for Android 10 devices that maintain active Bluetooth functionality. The remote information disclosure capability means that attackers can potentially extract device identifiers, memory contents, or other sensitive data simply by transmitting specially crafted Bluetooth packets to targeted devices. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers without the need for physical access or user engagement. This flaw directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted and stored within Bluetooth-enabled Android devices, potentially exposing sensitive information that could be used for further attacks or system compromise.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9241 primarily involve applying the relevant security patches provided by Google and device manufacturers as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android 10 security patches that address this specific Bluetooth implementation flaw. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and bounds checking in wireless protocol implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and exploitation of communication protocols. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional Bluetooth security controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of wireless communication protocols and thorough code reviews focusing on buffer handling and memory management practices should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.