CVE-2019-9294 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libstagefright, 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 needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-111764444
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9294 resides within the libstagefright media framework component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow remote attackers to extract sensitive information from devices running affected Android versions. The vulnerability is classified as a possible out of bounds read condition that occurs due to the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the media processing pipeline.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the stagefright framework's handling of multimedia files, particularly those containing crafted malicious data structures. When a device processes certain media files, the code fails to properly verify array bounds before accessing memory locations, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the data flow to read memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in programming constructs. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, typically through the device's media processing capabilities when encountering specially crafted media files delivered via email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially expose sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the target device's configuration, installed applications, or even extract data from the device's memory space without requiring any elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities. The fact that this vulnerability can be exploited remotely makes it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to compromise devices without physical access or user consent. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving information gathering and privilege escalation through software exploitation, specifically targeting the T1082 technique for system information discovery and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9294 primarily focus on prompt system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Users should immediately install the latest security updates for their Android devices, as these patches typically include enhanced bounds checking mechanisms and improved input validation routines within the libstagefright component. Network administrators should also implement proactive monitoring for suspicious media file downloads and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure threat underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments focusing on media processing components and ensure that all devices within their network environment receive timely security patches to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.