CVE-2019-9242 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In NFC, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-121035878
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9242 resides within the Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the NFC service fails to properly validate input data before processing it. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds check, which is a fundamental security flaw that allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The Android ID A-121035878 indicates this was tracked within Google's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting its significance in the mobile security landscape.
The technical flaw manifests when NFC data is received and processed without adequate validation of the data length or content boundaries. An attacker can craft malicious NFC data packets that, when received by an Android device, trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning that a user must actively engage with the malicious NFC data, typically by bringing their device near an NFC-enabled malicious device or by interacting with an NFC tag that has been programmed with the malicious payload. The missing bounds check allows the NFC service to read memory beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9242 is significant despite requiring user interaction for exploitation. The vulnerability could lead to local information disclosure, where an attacker might gain access to sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, personal identification information, or other confidential data stored in memory. This information disclosure could potentially be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or conduct more sophisticated attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning in mobile environments where NFC is commonly used for payments, device pairing, and data transfer operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for executing malicious code through NFC protocols and represents a potential entry point for lateral movement within a device's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest security patches released by Google, which would include fixes for the NFC bounds checking issue. System administrators should monitor for vulnerable Android versions in enterprise environments and implement device management policies that enforce timely security updates. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing NFC security controls such as disabling NFC when not in use, implementing strict NFC data validation policies, and monitoring for suspicious NFC activity. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of system components that handle external data inputs. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous NFC communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.