CVE-2019-9310 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libFDK, 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-112891546
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9310 resides within the libFDK library, a critical component of Android's multimedia framework responsible for audio decoding and processing. This flaw represents a serious security weakness that could potentially allow remote code execution without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond initial exploitation. The vulnerability stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs during buffer handling operations within the audio processing pipeline, specifically affecting how the system manages memory allocation for decoded audio data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow that leads to an out-of-bounds write condition in the libFDK library. When processing malformed audio files, the library fails to properly validate integer values used for buffer size calculations, causing the system to allocate insufficient memory space for the decoded audio data. This overflow condition results in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected audio processing service. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android 10 systems and is tracked under Android ID A-112891546, indicating its severity and the need for immediate remediation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables remote code execution through carefully crafted audio files that can be delivered via various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or file sharing platforms. The requirement for user interaction suggests that exploitation typically occurs when users open or play infected audio content, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access multimedia content from untrusted sources. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution, and reflects the common pattern of user-initiated exploitation in mobile environments.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as a critical threat due to its potential for remote exploitation and the minimal privileges required for successful compromise. The integer overflow condition creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that attackers can leverage to gain full control over the affected system's audio processing capabilities, potentially leading to broader system compromise. Organizations deploying Android 10 systems should prioritize patching and mitigation strategies, as this vulnerability represents a significant risk to mobile device security. The flaw's presence in libFDK, which is widely used across various Android implementations, means that the potential attack surface is extensive and affects numerous device manufacturers and carriers. Mitigation efforts should include immediate deployment of security patches from Google, implementation of network-based content filtering, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted multimedia files. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper integer overflow handling in security-sensitive code and serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing multimedia processing components within mobile operating systems. The issue also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party libraries integrated into mobile platforms, particularly those handling user-provided content.