CVE-2019-9381 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In netd, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a use after free. 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-122677612
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9381 resides within the netd component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper memory management practices within the network daemon service. The issue manifests as a use after free condition that can result in out of bounds read operations, fundamentally compromising the integrity of memory access patterns within the system's networking stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use after free conditions in software implementations. The netd service, responsible for managing network connectivity and routing operations, contains a memory management flaw that allows attackers to manipulate freed memory regions. When the service processes certain network-related operations, it fails to properly validate memory references after deallocation, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access. This particular implementation flaw exists in the way the network daemon handles memory allocation and deallocation sequences during network configuration changes or connection management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9381 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive data from the device without requiring any form of user interaction or additional privileges. This remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can potentially access network configuration details, routing information, or other sensitive data stored within the netd service memory spaces. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure threat underscores its potential for widespread impact across Android devices, particularly those running vulnerable versions of the operating system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gather intelligence about network configurations, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks or targeted exploitation of other system components.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Android security patches and updates released by Google to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring network traffic for anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Organizations should also consider deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious memory access patterns or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation of this use after free condition. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that the netd service and related network components are properly configured and that memory management practices follow secure coding guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.