CVE-2019-9256 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libmediaextractor there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-111921829
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9256 resides within the libmediaextractor component of Android systems, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution under specific conditions. This issue manifests as a possible out of bounds write vulnerability stemming from an integer overflow within the media extraction processing logic. The flaw specifically affects Android 10 and represents a significant concern for mobile device security as it could be exploited without requiring additional privileges beyond normal user access. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, typically through malicious media files or content that triggers the vulnerable code path during processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper integer overflow handling within the media extraction routines that process multimedia content. When the system attempts to parse or extract data from media files, an integer overflow occurs that leads to incorrect memory calculations. This overflow results in an out of bounds write condition where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The underlying issue can be categorized under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and more broadly falls under CWE-787, which covers out of bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of remote code execution through media processing components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it provides a pathway for remote code execution attacks. An attacker could craft malicious media files that, when processed by an affected Android device, would trigger the integer overflow condition and subsequently execute arbitrary code on the target system. The requirement for user interaction means that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering tactics, such as enticing users to open malicious attachments or visit compromised websites that serve the malicious media content. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers social engineering through media content delivery.
The exploitation of CVE-2019-9256 demonstrates the inherent risks associated with multimedia processing components in mobile operating systems, where complex parsing logic can introduce security vulnerabilities that are difficult to predict and prevent. The vulnerability affects the core media processing infrastructure of Android systems, potentially compromising the entire device when users interact with malicious content. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered through legitimate media processing workflows, making them difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. The integer overflow condition creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or code execution, with the vulnerability being classified as a high-severity threat due to its remote exploitability and lack of additional privilege requirements. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including system updates, media content filtering, and user education to reduce exposure to this vulnerability while awaiting full patches from vendors.