CVE-2019-9406 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libhevc there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. 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-112552517
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9406 affects the libhevc library component within Android systems, specifically targeting the HEVC (H.265) video codec implementation. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of uninitialized memory segments during video decoding operations. The vulnerability exists within the Android 10 operating system and has been assigned the Android ID A-112552517, indicating its severity and impact on the platform's security posture. The flaw manifests when the system processes HEVC video streams, particularly in scenarios involving malformed or crafted video content that triggers the uninitialized data exposure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper initialization of memory buffers within the libhevc library's video decoding routines. When processing certain video frames, the system fails to properly initialize memory regions before use, potentially leaving sensitive data from previous operations accessible to the current decoding process. This uninitialized data exposure creates a pathway for attackers to extract information that may include previously processed video content, system memory contents, or other confidential data stored in the affected memory segments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-457 as "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" in contexts where memory corruption leads to information disclosure.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote code execution through a crafted HEVC video file that triggers the uninitialized memory access during video decoding. While no additional privileges are required for exploitation, user interaction is necessary as the attack vector typically involves the user viewing or processing a malicious video file through an application that utilizes the libhevc library. The attack surface includes any Android application that handles HEVC video content, including media players, messaging applications, and web browsers that support HEVC playback. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the extracted data may contain sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks or system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9406 represents a significant security risk for Android devices running Android 10, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious video content through various channels such as email attachments, messaging applications, or web browsing. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially compromise device security without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in scenarios involving mobile device management or enterprise security policies. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure threat aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 for "Credential Access" and TA0005 for "Defense Evasion" when considering potential follow-on attacks that could leverage the disclosed information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9406 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of the Android security bulletin for the affected Android 10 version. System administrators should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches that address this specific memory initialization issue in the libhevc library. Additionally, organizations may implement network-level controls to filter or block HEVC video content from untrusted sources, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in multimedia libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of codec implementations against malformed input data. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual video processing activities and memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves ensuring that all memory buffers are properly initialized before use within the video decoding pipeline, preventing the exposure of uninitialized data to applications processing HEVC content.