CVE-2019-9249 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 local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-120255805
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9249 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth subsystem of Android 10 operating systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing bounds check in the Bluetooth protocol implementation that processes incoming data packets. The vulnerability exists at the kernel level where Bluetooth communication handlers fail to validate the size and boundaries of received data before attempting to access memory locations. Such a flaw creates a pathway for attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from system memory through carefully crafted Bluetooth packets. The absence of any requirement for user interaction or additional execution privileges makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited remotely without user awareness or consent.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices or object access boundaries. This weakness occurs when software fails to validate that array indices or object access parameters fall within acceptable ranges before accessing memory locations. The Bluetooth implementation in Android 10 demonstrates this flaw through its handling of malformed or unexpected packet structures where the system attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of memory corruption can result in information disclosure where adjacent memory contents including potentially sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information may be accessible to attackers. The out-of-bounds read operation can expose system memory contents that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Android 10 devices as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates at the Bluetooth protocol level where devices are constantly listening for incoming connections and data transfers. An attacker positioned within Bluetooth range could potentially exploit this vulnerability to extract confidential information from target devices. The implications extend beyond simple data theft as the leaked information could potentially be used to compromise other security mechanisms or facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require physical access to the device or any form of user deception, making it an attractive target for remote attackers seeking to gather intelligence from Android devices.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the technique T1059.001 for command and control communications and T1005 for data from local system. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability could enable attackers to gather intelligence about device configurations, network settings, or other system information that would aid in planning more targeted attacks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google as part of their regular security updates for Android 10. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively needed can reduce the attack surface, though this approach may impact legitimate device functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and bounds checking in system-level components, particularly those handling network communications where untrusted data is constantly received from external sources.