CVE-2019-9361 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libavc there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. 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-111762807
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9361 resides within the libavc library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 releases. This issue represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from the improper handling of uninitialized data structures within the video codec processing pipeline. The flaw manifests when the system processes video content through the libavc library, which is responsible for handling advanced video coding standards including h.264 and h.265 video formats. The vulnerability's classification as information disclosure aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables that can lead to information exposure. The security implications are particularly concerning because the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring any elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities, making it accessible to attackers with minimal attack surface requirements.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the libavc library's failure to properly initialize certain memory buffers or data structures during video decoding operations. When processing malformed or specially crafted video content, the uninitialized memory segments may contain residual data from previous operations or system processes, which can then be inadvertently exposed to unauthorized parties. This information disclosure occurs through the video processing pipeline where the uninitialized data gets processed and potentially transmitted to external systems or applications. The exploitation requires user interaction, typically through the delivery of malicious video content via email attachments, messaging applications, or web browsing activities. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where the vulnerability enables unauthorized data access through legitimate system processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the uninitialized data could potentially contain sensitive system information, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data that might aid in further attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially identifying system configurations, software versions, or other metadata that could be used in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remote nature without requiring additional execution privileges makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content through various applications and services. The fact that this affects Android 10 specifically indicates that the vulnerability was present in the system's core multimedia processing capabilities, making it a systemic issue rather than an isolated component flaw. Organizations and users must understand that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to privacy and system security, particularly in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive information or operate in threat-prone contexts. The recommended mitigations include immediate system updates to the latest Android security patches, implementation of content filtering mechanisms for video processing, and comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.