CVE-2019-9314 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libavc, there is a missing variable initialization. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-112329563
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9314 resides within the libavc library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 deployments. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper variable initialization within the multimedia processing framework. The vulnerability manifests in the way the system handles certain video decoding operations, creating a potential pathway for information disclosure attacks. The flaw is classified under CWE-457 as a use of uninitialized variable, which fundamentally compromises the integrity of the system's memory management during video processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of video streams where the libavc library fails to properly initialize a critical variable before its usage. This uninitialized variable contains residual data from previous operations or memory allocation patterns that can be inadvertently exposed during the video decoding process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted video content that triggers the vulnerable code path, causing the system to leak sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected. The exploitation requires user interaction through the delivery of malicious media content, typically via email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads, making this a sophisticated social engineering attack vector.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device security and user privacy. The remote information disclosure capability means that attackers can potentially access sensitive data including cached memory contents, system variables, or other confidential information that might reveal system configurations or user data. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged without requiring elevated system access or root privileges. The vulnerability affects the Android 10 operating system and represents a serious degradation of the system's security model, particularly concerning the integrity of multimedia processing components.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1190, 'Exploit Public-Facing Application'. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure makes it particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage it for reconnaissance purposes or to gather intelligence about target systems. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory initialization practices in security-critical code paths. The Android security team addressed this issue through patch updates that ensure proper variable initialization before memory access operations, reinforcing the principle that even seemingly minor coding errors can lead to significant security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9314 should focus on immediate system updates and patch management protocols. Organizations and individuals should prioritize applying the latest Android security patches that specifically address this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement content filtering measures to prevent potentially malicious media files from reaching end users, particularly in enterprise environments where device management is more controlled. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough code review processes and static analysis tools that can identify uninitialized variable usage patterns. Additionally, users should exercise caution when opening media attachments from unknown sources and maintain awareness of the potential for social engineering attacks that leverage such security flaws to gain unauthorized access to system information.