CVE-2019-9302 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-112661356
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-9302 affects the libAACdec library within Android systems, specifically targeting the Advanced Audio Coding audio decoding component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution under specific conditions. The vulnerability resides in the audio decoding subsystem that processes AAC audio files, making it a potential attack vector through malicious audio content delivered via various communication channels. The flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition that can lead to memory corruption and subsequent unauthorized code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the AAC decoding logic. When processing malformed audio data, the decoder fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to an integer overflow that subsequently results in an out-of-bounds memory write operation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw occurs during the parsing of audio frame headers where the decoder calculates buffer sizes based on input values that can be manipulated by an attacker to exceed normal bounds, causing memory corruption in adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond the initial delivery of malicious content. While the exploit does require user interaction to trigger the vulnerable decoding process, the attack surface is extensive given that audio files are commonly encountered through various communication channels including email attachments, messaging applications, web downloads, and multimedia streaming services. The vulnerability affects Android 10 systems and represents a significant risk to mobile device security since audio decoding occurs frequently during normal device operation, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can deliver malicious audio content.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage through audio processing components, and demonstrates how multimedia processing libraries can serve as attack vectors for privilege escalation. The integer overflow condition creates a memory corruption scenario that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers without needing to establish a foothold through other means. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability across all affected Android 10 devices to prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of audio data that triggers the specific integer overflow condition during decoding, but the impact is severe enough that it warrants immediate attention from security teams. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers could potentially compromise devices through various delivery mechanisms without requiring physical access or user consent beyond the initial interaction with the malicious content. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in enterprise environments where mobile devices are frequently used for business communications and data access.