CVE-2019-9304 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libMpegTPDec, 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-112662270
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9304 resides within the libMpegTPDec library component of Android systems, representing a critical security flaw that could potentially enable remote code execution. This issue manifests through an integer overflow condition that creates an out-of-bounds write scenario, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the affected system's memory management mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android 10 operating systems and has been assigned the Android ID A-112662270, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention from developers and security professionals.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during the processing of MPEG transport stream data within the multimedia decoding framework. When the libMpegTPDec library processes malformed or specially crafted media files, it fails to properly validate integer arithmetic operations that determine buffer allocation sizes. This integer overflow condition results in calculations that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type, causing subsequent memory writes to occur at unintended memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the capacity of the underlying data type.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a potential pathway for remote code execution without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction beyond the initial exploitation trigger. While the vulnerability does require user interaction for initial exploitation, the nature of the flaw means that an attacker could craft malicious media content that, when processed by the affected Android system, would automatically trigger the integer overflow condition. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently encounter multimedia content from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, web downloads, or social media platforms. The out-of-bounds write condition can potentially overwrite critical program memory structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and ultimately achieve remote code execution on the target device.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the Tactic of Execution and the technique of Command and Scripting Interpreter. The integer overflow creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through memory corruption, which is a common approach in exploit development. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction to initiate exploitation places this vulnerability in the context of social engineering attacks, where attackers might craft media files designed to appear legitimate while containing malicious payloads. The fact that no additional execution privileges are required makes this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective, as it can be exploited against systems with default user permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9304 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Android security updates, as Google has released fixes for this vulnerability in subsequent Android releases. Organizations should implement robust media content filtering mechanisms that scan and validate multimedia files before processing, particularly in enterprise environments where users may be exposed to untrusted content. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls that restrict access to potentially malicious media content sources and deploy endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in multimedia processing libraries, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of all system components that handle external data processing. Furthermore, developers should adopt secure coding practices that include explicit bounds checking, proper integer overflow detection, and thorough validation of all input parameters before processing.