CVE-2019-9283 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In AAC Codec, there is a possible resource exhaustion due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112663564
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9283 resides within the Advanced Audio Codec implementation on Android devices, specifically affecting Android 10 operating systems. This issue represents a resource exhaustion flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the audio codec processing pipeline. The vulnerability manifests when the AAC codec fails to properly validate incoming audio data streams, creating opportunities for malicious actors to craft specially formatted audio content that can trigger excessive resource consumption during decoding operations. The flaw operates at the system level where audio processing occurs, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of audio codecs in mobile applications and media playback scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, typically through the deliberate execution of malicious audio content or media files that contain crafted inputs designed to overwhelm the codec's memory allocation and processing capabilities. This type of attack falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks, where the attacker leverages the codec's insufficient validation routines to consume excessive memory, CPU cycles, or other system resources. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-400 which specifically addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to denial of service conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious audio files through various vectors including email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads, where the user's interaction triggers the codec processing that ultimately leads to system resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9283 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions as it can potentially render affected Android devices unstable or unresponsive during audio processing operations. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause applications utilizing the AAC codec to crash or consume all available system resources, leading to complete system hangs or forced reboots. This behavior creates a persistent threat to device usability and can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies must account for such vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires user interaction, which provides a natural defense mechanism but also demonstrates the importance of user education and security awareness programs. The vulnerability's presence in Android 10 makes it particularly relevant for organizations with modern Android device deployments, as the attack surface expands with the increased adoption of newer Android versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on software updates and patches provided by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches that address this specific resource exhaustion issue within the AAC codec implementation. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly during audio processing operations. Additionally, network-level controls such as content filtering and application whitelisting can help prevent the delivery of potentially malicious audio content to affected devices. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Resource Exhaustion" highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and resource management controls at multiple layers of the system architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and prevent exploitation from causing broader system compromise.