CVE-2019-9317 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libstagefright, 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-112052258
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9317 resides within the libstagefright multimedia framework component of Android systems, specifically manifesting as a missing variable initialization flaw that creates potential for remote information disclosure. This issue affects Android 10 and represents a significant security concern within the mobile platform's media processing capabilities. The vulnerability originates from the stagefright framework's handling of multimedia file parsing, where improper initialization of variables during media file processing creates exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by remote attackers. The flaw is classified under CWE-457 as "Use of Uninitialized Variable," which directly impacts the security posture of affected Android devices by potentially exposing sensitive system information to unauthorized parties.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft a malicious multimedia file that triggers the uninitialized variable condition during the parsing process. While no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation, user interaction is necessary for the malicious file to be processed, typically through the automatic playback of media content or when a user opens a specially crafted file. The missing initialization creates a scenario where memory locations contain unpredictable values that could be manipulated to extract information from the system's memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when considering how such information disclosure could be leveraged for further attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9317 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could potentially reveal sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, system addresses, or other confidential information that could aid in more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the core multimedia processing capabilities of Android devices, meaning any application or service that processes multimedia content through libstagefright could be vulnerable to exploitation. The remote nature of the attack vector makes this particularly concerning as it allows attackers to target users without requiring physical access or local privileges. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in environments where Android devices process untrusted multimedia content from web applications, email attachments, or messaging services, making it a critical concern for enterprise security and personal privacy protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on applying the latest security patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the issue was addressed through updates to the Android framework. Organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious multimedia content and ensure that automatic media playback is disabled in high-security environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper variable initialization practices in security-critical code and highlights the need for comprehensive code reviews and static analysis tools to identify similar issues in other system components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all Android devices within an organization are properly updated and protected against such information disclosure threats.