CVE-2019-9388 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Bluetooth, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure in the Bluetooth service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-117567437
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9388 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth service of Android 10 systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing bounds check in the Bluetooth implementation that allows malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability resides in the core Bluetooth service component responsible for handling wireless communication protocols and device pairing operations. The absence of proper input validation and boundary checking creates a pathway for unauthorized memory access that could potentially expose sensitive system information. This flaw specifically affects the Android 10 operating system and is identified by the Android ID A-117567437, indicating its classification within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its accessibility through remote exploitation without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where Bluetooth connectivity is pervasive.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when the Bluetooth service processes incoming data packets or connection requests that contain malformed or oversized data structures. Without proper bounds checking mechanisms, the system attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially accessing adjacent memory regions containing confidential data such as system credentials, application information, or cryptographic keys. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the out-of-bounds read condition through network-based Bluetooth communications without requiring physical access to the device or user interaction. The attack surface is broad as Bluetooth is enabled by default on most Android devices and frequently used for various connectivity scenarios including file transfers, device pairing, and wireless audio streaming.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9388 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the overall security posture of affected Android devices. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the device's memory, potentially including authentication tokens, personal data, or other confidential system information. The lack of required user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically when devices are in range of malicious Bluetooth signals. This type of information disclosure threat maps directly to the ATT&CK framework's T1005 technique for data from local system, where adversaries can collect sensitive information from compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges, meaning that even standard Bluetooth users could potentially access sensitive information through this flaw. The potential for cascading effects exists as the disclosed information could be used to facilitate further attacks or to gain deeper insights into the target device's configuration and security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9388 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the Bluetooth service implementation and applying the official Android security patches released by Google. Device administrators should ensure that all Android 10 devices receive the latest security updates that address this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should monitor for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper input validation and boundary checking should be enforced across all Bluetooth-related components in the system. Organizations should consider disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively needed, particularly in high-security environments. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust memory safety practices in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for continuous security auditing of core system services. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments focusing on Bluetooth protocols and related system components to identify similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.