CVE-2019-9264 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac there is a possible out of bounds read due to missing bounds check. This could lead to information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-116774502
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-9264 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns. According to the Android security advisory A-116774502, this vulnerability exists within the audio processing subsystem where AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) decoding routines operate.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when malformed audio data is processed through the libxaac decoder without proper boundary checking. When the decoder attempts to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, it may access adjacent memory locations containing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-131, which covers incorrect calculation of buffer size. The memory access pattern typically involves reading from uninitialized memory regions or memory sections that contain previously used data, potentially exposing information that was not intended for disclosure.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to process maliciously crafted audio content. This interaction typically occurs through media files delivered via email attachments, messaging applications, or compromised websites. The attack vector leverages the fact that the Android system automatically processes audio content without requiring elevated privileges, making the exploitation accessible to threat actors without needing root access or administrative rights. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the media processing framework, specifically targeting the audio decoding pipeline that handles AAC format files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the immediate risk involves exposure of sensitive data from memory locations, the information leakage could provide attackers with enough context to craft more targeted exploits. The vulnerability affects the Android media framework's ability to securely process audio content, potentially compromising user privacy and system integrity. Security researchers have noted that this type of memory corruption vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for more severe attacks, as the leaked information can aid in bypassing security mechanisms or understanding system memory layouts. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched Android versions, implementing application sandboxing, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious audio file processing activities.
The remediation approach for CVE-2019-9264 requires updating to Android 10 or later versions where the libxaac library has been patched to include proper bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement network segmentation to limit media file processing capabilities and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can restrict potentially malicious content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of audio codecs. This case study emphasizes the critical nature of memory safety in mobile operating systems where user interaction is required for exploitation, making user education and awareness programs essential components of the overall security posture. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly in areas involving buffer management and input validation.