CVE-2019-9296 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In NFC, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112162089
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9296 resides within the Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read flaw that occurs when the NFC service fails to properly validate input data boundaries before processing. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds checking mechanism, which allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. The flaw exists within the NFC framework's data handling routines where incoming NFC data packets are processed without adequate validation of their length or structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user to interact with a malicious NFC device or payload, making it a user-initiated attack vector rather than an automated exploit. Attackers can craft specially formatted NFC data that, when processed by the vulnerable Android system, triggers the out-of-bounds read condition. This condition allows for the disclosure of sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing system internals, credentials, or other confidential data. The attack does not require elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities beyond what is normally available to standard user applications, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose system memory contents that may contain sensitive cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other valuable data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.005 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic) and T1005 (Data from Local System) as it enables adversaries to extract information from the target system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the Android NFC subsystem, potentially compromising the security of NFC-based transactions and communications. Organizations should note that this vulnerability was addressed through Android security patches released in 2019, but systems that have not been updated remain at risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9296 primarily focus on maintaining up-to-date Android systems with the latest security patches from Google. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Android devices within their environment receive timely updates. Additionally, organizations can consider implementing NFC access controls and limiting NFC functionality in sensitive environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in mobile operating system components, particularly those handling external data inputs such as NFC communications. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual NFC activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that NFC-related services are properly configured and updated.