CVE-2019-9418 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libstagefright, there is a possible resource exhaustion due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-111450210
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9418 resides within the libstagefright multimedia framework component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This issue represents a critical resource exhaustion flaw that stems from a missing bounds check in the multimedia processing pipeline. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes malformed multimedia files, particularly those containing crafted or corrupted data structures that exceed expected parameter limits. The absence of proper validation allows attackers to manipulate input data in ways that cause the system to allocate excessive memory resources or consume processing cycles beyond normal operational parameters.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, which describes "Improper Validation of Array Index" and CWE-770, "Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling" as the underlying causes. When an attacker crafts malicious multimedia content, the libstagefright component fails to validate array bounds during parsing operations, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption. This flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and resource management, where the system's inability to properly validate input parameters creates a pathway for resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, typically through the delivery of malicious media files via email attachments, messaging applications, or web downloads, making it particularly concerning for mobile environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9418 enables remote denial of service conditions where adversaries can systematically consume system resources to render devices unusable or cause applications to crash repeatedly. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted multimedia files that trigger the missing bounds check, causing the system to allocate excessive memory or enter infinite processing loops. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors without requiring elevated system access or root privileges. The remote nature of the attack means that victims can be compromised simply by opening or viewing the malicious content, making it an ideal vector for widespread impact. This vulnerability affects the core multimedia processing capabilities of Android devices, potentially impacting various applications that rely on stagefright for media handling including web browsers, messaging apps, and media players.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9418 focus primarily on applying timely security updates from device manufacturers and Google, as the vulnerability was addressed through patches that implement proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize patch management programs to ensure all Android devices receive the latest security updates, particularly those containing fixes for libstagefright components. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level filtering to block suspicious multimedia content, enabling application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and establishing user awareness programs to educate individuals about the risks of opening untrusted media files. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while mobile device management solutions can enforce policies that restrict the automatic execution of multimedia content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in multimedia frameworks and demonstrates how seemingly minor missing bounds checks can create significant security risks in operating system components that handle user-provided content.