CVE-2019-9385 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libxaac, 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-120452956
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9385 resides within the libxaac library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 10 installations. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when processing audio data through the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) decoding functionality, where the system fails to properly verify array boundaries before accessing memory locations. Such missing bounds checks create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to extract sensitive information from memory regions beyond intended access limits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the AAC decoder's handling of malformed or specially crafted audio payloads that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access pattern. When the libxaac library processes these inputs without proper validation, it can traverse memory locations that contain confidential data, potentially exposing system information, user credentials, or other sensitive materials. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, meaning that a malicious actor must convince a target to engage with a specially crafted audio file or media content. This interaction requirement significantly impacts the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as social engineering techniques can effectively bypass user awareness.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for Android devices running version 10, where the affected libxaac component is present. The remote information disclosure capability means that attackers can potentially extract confidential data without requiring elevated privileges or execution rights, making it particularly dangerous for privacy-sensitive environments. The impact extends beyond simple data leakage, as the extracted information could potentially be used for further exploitation attempts or to aid in more sophisticated attacks against the affected system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in information gathering phases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate system updates from Android security patches, as Google has addressed this issue in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious audio file processing activities and consider network-based filtering of potentially malicious media content. Additionally, device administrators should enforce strict application permissions and user education regarding the dangers of untrusted audio content. The vulnerability's resolution requires patching the libxaac library component, which typically involves updating the Android operating system to versions that include fixed implementations of the AAC decoding routines. Security teams should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.