CVE-2019-9278 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libexif, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege in the media content provider with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112537774
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9278 resides within the libexif library, a critical component responsible for parsing exchangeable image file format data in Android systems. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it allows for potential privilege escalation through remote exploitation. The vulnerability manifests as an integer overflow condition that can trigger an out of bounds write operation, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the affected system's memory management mechanisms. The issue specifically impacts Android 10 systems and is tracked under Android ID A-112537774, indicating its severity within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of image metadata within the media content provider component. When libexif attempts to parse malformed EXIF data from image files, an integer overflow occurs in the calculation of buffer sizes or array indices. This overflow results in a situation where the application writes data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires no additional execution privileges for exploitation, meaning that a remote attacker can leverage this vulnerability without needing to establish a foothold within the system's execution environment. The integer overflow creates a scenario where a carefully crafted image file can cause the application to allocate insufficient memory space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables remote privilege escalation within the media content provider context. This means that an attacker who can convince a user to view a maliciously crafted image file can potentially gain elevated privileges on the device. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly concerning in real-world scenarios, as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns or by embedding malicious content in commonly viewed media files. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a clear pathway for attackers to move from a standard user context to a privileged system context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9278 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android security updates addressing this vulnerability were released as part of the Android Security Bulletin for April 2019, requiring system administrators to apply these patches promptly to prevent exploitation. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation for all EXIF metadata processing, including bounds checking and integer overflow detection mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media processing components and deploying network-level controls to filter potentially malicious image files. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party libraries used in mobile operating systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain elevated privileges.