CVE-2019-9362 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libSACdec, 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 needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-120426980
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9362 resides within the libSACdec library component of Android systems, representing a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that fundamentally compromises memory safety mechanisms. This issue manifests when the system processes audio data through the SAC (SACdec) decoding framework without proper validation of array indices or buffer boundaries. The missing bounds check creates a scenario where maliciously crafted audio content can trigger memory access violations that extend beyond allocated buffer limits, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array access operations, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued multimedia processing frameworks for years. The flaw operates at the intersection of audio decoding and memory management, where the SACdec library fails to validate input parameters before performing memory operations. When an attacker crafts specially formatted audio files containing malformed data structures, the decoder processes these inputs without adequate boundary validation, leading to unintended memory reads that can reveal confidential information stored in adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices as it enables remote information disclosure without requiring any elevated privileges or execution capabilities from the attacker. The exploitation chain requires only user interaction through the acceptance of malicious audio content, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users frequently encounter multimedia content from untrusted sources. The Android system's multimedia framework becomes a vector for information leakage, potentially exposing sensitive data including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system memory contents that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to create potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the technique of credential access through memory dumping and information gathering. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation means that adversaries can begin their attack campaigns without needing to establish initial footholds or escalate privileges, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for threat actors. The Android ID A-120426980 indicates this was properly tracked and addressed within Google's security infrastructure, demonstrating the recognized severity of the issue across the mobile platform ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9362 primarily involve updating to patched versions of Android where the bounds checking has been implemented within the libSACdec library. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security updates that address the specific memory validation issues in the audio decoding framework. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for all multimedia content, deploying sandboxing mechanisms for audio processing components, and establishing monitoring systems that can detect anomalous memory access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves adding comprehensive boundary checks before any array or buffer operations, ensuring that all input data is validated against expected size constraints before processing, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds memory access that enables information disclosure.