CVE-2019-9399 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Print Service is susceptible to man in the middle attacks due to improperly used crypto. 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-115635664
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9399 resides within the Android Print Service component, specifically manifesting as a cryptographic weakness that exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks. This flaw exists in Android 10 and affects the underlying security mechanisms that govern print service communications, creating a significant risk vector for attackers who can intercept and potentially manipulate print jobs without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of cryptographic protocols during print service operations, where the system fails to adequately authenticate communication channels between the device and print servers.
The technical flaw represents a critical failure in the cryptographic implementation that governs secure communications within the Android print subsystem. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting print data transmissions, potentially gaining access to sensitive information contained within print jobs. The vulnerability's classification as a cryptographic weakness aligns with CWE-310, which specifically addresses cryptographic issues in software implementations. The attack vector does not require user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by remote attackers who gain network access to the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as print services often handle sensitive data including personal documents, business communications, and confidential information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access proprietary documents, personal correspondence, or business-critical information transmitted through the print service. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur silently in the background, making detection difficult for end users and security administrators. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where print services are commonly used for document management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9399 should focus on implementing proper cryptographic protocols within the print service framework, including the use of secure communication channels with proper certificate validation and authentication mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that print services are configured to use encrypted connections and that proper certificate pinning is implemented to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: DNS, and the broader category of network protocol manipulation. Regular security updates and patches from Google should be implemented immediately, along with network monitoring to detect unusual print service activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to print services and reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation of this cryptographic weakness.