CVE-2019-9286 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 remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-111213909
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9286 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth implementation of Android 10 operating systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing bounds check in the Bluetooth protocol handling code, specifically affecting the Bluetooth stack's processing of incoming packets or data structures. The flaw exists at the kernel level within the Bluetooth subsystem, where insufficient validation of data boundaries allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted Bluetooth packets that trigger memory access violations. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely without requiring any user interaction or elevated privileges, making them highly attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise mobile devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices or other forms of bounds checking failures. This particular flaw operates within the Bluetooth protocol stack where incoming data packets are processed without adequate boundary validation, leading to memory access beyond allocated buffer limits. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs when the Bluetooth implementation attempts to access memory locations that fall outside the intended data buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by transmitting malicious Bluetooth packets to a target device, causing the system to read data from unauthorized memory locations and potentially extract confidential information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data stored in memory.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android 10 devices as it enables remote information disclosure attacks that can be executed without any user interaction or privilege escalation. The attack vector operates entirely over the Bluetooth protocol, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of Bluetooth connectivity in mobile devices. The exploitation process requires no local access or user engagement, meaning that adversaries can target devices passively while they are within Bluetooth range. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1046, where adversaries establish remote access through network services, and T1005, which involves data from local system storage. The potential impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include possible privilege escalation or further exploitation of other system vulnerabilities that may be revealed through the memory access violation.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9286 primarily involve applying the official security patches released by Google as part of the Android security updates. Organizations and users should immediately install the latest Android 10 security updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services when not actively in use. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of robust input validation in network protocol implementations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms in all system components that process external data. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected Android versions and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other network protocols.