CVE-2019-9341 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Bluetooth, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-111214770
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9341 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth implementation of Android 10 operating systems. This security weakness resides in the Bluetooth subsystem where insufficient bounds checking allows for unauthorized memory access patterns that could potentially expose sensitive information to remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests as a missing validation mechanism that should have prevented reading beyond allocated memory boundaries during Bluetooth protocol processing operations. The flaw specifically affects Android 10 devices and is tracked under Android ID A-111214770, indicating its classification within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within Bluetooth protocol handling components, where the absence of proper input validation creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious Bluetooth packets that trigger memory access violations. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs when Bluetooth protocol parsers fail to verify the length of incoming data packets against expected buffer sizes, allowing attackers to manipulate packet structures to access memory locations beyond intended boundaries. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability maps to improper input validation or insufficient bounds checking, a common weakness that enables various forms of information disclosure attacks. The attack vector requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or user engagement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it potentially allows attackers to extract sensitive data from memory regions that should remain protected. This includes but is not limited to device identifiers, cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, and other confidential information stored in memory during Bluetooth operations. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can target vulnerable devices from anywhere within Bluetooth range, potentially enabling large-scale surveillance operations or targeted attacks against specific individuals or organizations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving information gathering and credential access, specifically mapping to T1046 for network service scanning and T1003 for credential dumping. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this particularly concerning for mobile device security, as it eliminates the need for social engineering or physical access to compromise devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9341 should prioritize immediate deployment of Android security patches provided by Google, which include updated Bluetooth protocol handlers with proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also considering temporary Bluetooth disablement in high-security environments until patches are fully deployed. Security teams must also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their Android device fleets to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. The implementation of network segmentation and Bluetooth access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits should verify that proper bounds checking mechanisms are operational within Bluetooth protocol implementations. Device administrators should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically deploy security updates and monitor for exploitation indicators, as the vulnerability's remote nature makes proactive defense essential for maintaining secure Bluetooth communications across enterprise environments.