CVE-2019-9366 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libSBRdec 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-112052062
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9366 resides within the libSBRdec component of Android's media processing framework, specifically affecting Android 10 installations. This issue represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates the dangers of insufficient input validation in multimedia decoding libraries. The vulnerability manifests as a missing bounds check during the processing of audio data, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The affected component is part of the broader audio decoding infrastructure that handles various compressed audio formats, making it a critical element in the Android media stack. The flaw occurs during the decoding process of specific audio data structures, where the software fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited to extract sensitive memory contents. The attack vector requires user interaction, typically through the manipulation of specially crafted media files or network streams that trigger the vulnerable decoding path. This requirement for user interaction does not diminish the severity of the flaw, as it can be easily propagated through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or peer-to-peer file sharing networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the media decoding layer where the system processes potentially untrusted input from various sources, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to extract information from device memory.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or execution capabilities beyond the initial user interaction. The exploited system can potentially reveal sensitive data including cryptographic keys, application memory contents, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the extracted data could potentially be used to facilitate further attacks or compromise other system components. The vulnerability affects Android 10 specifically, indicating that it was introduced in the media processing pipeline during the development cycle and represents a regression or oversight in the code review and testing phases. The Android ID A-112052062 indicates this was properly tracked and acknowledged by Google's security team, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper input validation in system libraries.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of system services and libraries to execute malicious payloads or extract information. The lack of additional execution privileges required means that even basic user accounts can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter malicious content. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation at multiple layers of the system, particularly in libraries that process untrusted data. The flaw serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign components like audio decoders can become attack vectors when proper bounds checking is omitted. Mitigation efforts should focus on implementing proper array bounds validation and ensuring that all media processing components perform adequate input sanitization before processing potentially malicious content. Regular security updates and patch management are critical to addressing such vulnerabilities, as the affected libraries may be used across various Android implementations and device manufacturers.
The vulnerability represents a significant concern for mobile device security and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system libraries. The fact that it affects a core media processing component means that any application or service that relies on audio decoding functionality could potentially be compromised. The remote nature of the information disclosure threat means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from outside the device, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where devices are frequently exposed to untrusted content. This flaw underscores the importance of maintaining security standards throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in components that handle external data inputs. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android devices and implement monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of security research and responsible disclosure practices that allow vendors to develop and deploy patches before vulnerabilities become widely known.