CVE-2019-9402 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Bluetooth, there is possible controlled termination due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-115372550
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Bluetooth subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and potentially earlier versions. The issue manifests as a missing bounds check that creates a potential for controlled termination conditions within the Bluetooth protocol handling mechanisms. Such a flaw represents a critical security concern as it allows for remote denial of service attacks without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Bluetooth stack where boundary checks are absent, potentially allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted Bluetooth packets that trigger unexpected termination sequences within the system's Bluetooth processing components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of software quality assurance and secure coding practices, specifically relating to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations. When a Bluetooth device receives malformed or specially constructed packets, the absence of proper boundary validation allows for memory corruption or unexpected program termination. This flaw operates at the protocol level within the Bluetooth stack, where legitimate Bluetooth communication processes are interrupted by maliciously crafted data that exceeds expected parameter boundaries. The exploitation mechanism leverages the inherent trust placed in Bluetooth communication protocols, allowing an attacker positioned within the wireless range to initiate denial of service conditions that affect the target device's ability to maintain Bluetooth connectivity or perform Bluetooth-related functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Android devices that rely on Bluetooth functionality for essential services or user experiences. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or any form of user interaction to trigger the denial of service condition. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from considerable distances, potentially affecting devices in public spaces or within corporate environments where Bluetooth connectivity is frequently utilized. The lack of additional privileges required for exploitation lowers the barrier for attackers, making this vulnerability accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise. The controlled termination aspect suggests that the vulnerability can be precisely manipulated to cause specific system behaviors rather than random crashes, which could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attack vectors beyond simple denial of service.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on software updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Android security updates typically address such issues through modifications to the Bluetooth stack that implement proper bounds checking mechanisms, ensuring that all incoming Bluetooth data is validated against expected parameter ranges before processing. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of relevant security patches to protect their Android devices from exploitation. Additionally, network administrators may consider implementing Bluetooth access controls or disabling Bluetooth functionality in environments where the risk of exploitation is particularly high. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and boundary checking in wireless communication protocols, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly in the context of protocol manipulation and exploitation. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous Bluetooth behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should maintain awareness of potential indicators of compromise related to Bluetooth service disruptions.