CVE-2019-9246 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-120428637
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9246 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 boundaries during processing of NFC-related operations. The flaw manifests when the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially allowing unauthorized data extraction from adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations. The security implications are particularly concerning given that NFC operations typically involve handling untrusted data from external devices, making this a prime target for exploitation through malicious NFC interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9246 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability requires only local access to exploit and can potentially reveal sensitive information stored in memory. The attack vector necessitates user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a user to engage with a malicious NFC device or service, typically through physical proximity or social engineering tactics. This requirement for user interaction reduces the attack surface compared to fully autonomous exploits but does not eliminate the threat entirely, as NFC devices are often used in trusted environments where users may be less vigilant. The vulnerability's exploitation could potentially expose cryptographic keys, session tokens, personal data, or other sensitive information stored in memory areas adjacent to the vulnerable NFC processing code. The Android ID A-120428637 indicates this was tracked within Google's internal security tracking system, highlighting its significance in the Android security ecosystem.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Credential Access' domains, where adversaries might leverage NFC-based attacks to establish footholds or extract credentials. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation means that an attacker can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without needing to escalate privileges or perform complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in mobile operating systems, particularly in subsystems that handle external device communications. Organizations and users should consider the broader implications of NFC-based attacks, as this vulnerability could potentially be combined with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains. The security community should view this as a reminder of the need for comprehensive bounds checking in all system components, especially those handling external input from potentially malicious sources. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper buffer boundary validation and ensuring that NFC processing code includes adequate input sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns.