CVE-2019-9299 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libAACdec, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112663886
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9299 resides within the libAACdec component of Android's media framework, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue manifests as a potential out of bounds write condition stemming from an integer overflow within the audio decoding process. The flaw occurs during the handling of Advanced Audio Coding format files, where the decoder fails to properly validate integer values during buffer calculations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted audio data could trigger memory corruption. The integer overflow vulnerability represents a classic software security weakness that has been categorized under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, typically through the playback of maliciously crafted audio files, making it particularly concerning for mobile environments where users frequently encounter multimedia content. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access, as the attack vector requires user engagement to initiate the malicious payload execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback scenarios, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices with the privileges of the media playback process. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without needing to escalate their privileges through other attack vectors. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where the media playback subsystem operates with significant access to device resources. The out of bounds write condition can potentially overwrite critical memory locations, including function pointers or return addresses, allowing attackers to redirect execution flow and ultimately achieve remote code execution. The Android platform's architecture, which relies heavily on component-based security models, makes such vulnerabilities particularly impactful as they can compromise the integrity of the entire media processing pipeline. The vulnerability's presence in libAACdec indicates that it affects a core audio decoding library that handles numerous audio formats, amplifying the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9299 should prioritize the immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google through the Android security bulletin process. Organizations and users should ensure their Android 10 devices receive the relevant security updates that address the integer overflow condition in libAACdec. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious audio files through email attachments, web downloads, or other user-accessible media channels. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction provides an opportunity for security awareness training to help users recognize and avoid potentially malicious media content. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any reports of exploitation attempts and consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous audio processing activities. The security community should also maintain vigilance for related vulnerabilities in similar audio decoding libraries and ensure that the Android platform's security model remains robust against such memory corruption attacks. Organizations should review their mobile device management policies to ensure that automatic security update mechanisms are enabled and functioning properly to minimize the window of exposure for such vulnerabilities.