CVE-2019-9434 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 with heap information written to the log with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-80432895
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9434 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Bluetooth subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and earlier versions. This issue stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms within the Bluetooth protocol implementation, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit memory access violations to extract sensitive heap information. The vulnerability resides in the system-level Bluetooth processing components that handle wireless communication protocols, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of Bluetooth technology in mobile devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-129 category of "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory" and more specifically aligns with CWE-125 "Out-of-Bounds Read" as outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw occurs when the Bluetooth stack processes incoming packets or data structures without adequate validation of array boundaries or buffer limits. This allows attackers to craft malicious Bluetooth packets that, when processed by the vulnerable system, trigger memory access violations that can be leveraged to extract heap memory contents. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it operates at a privileged level within the operating system's Bluetooth framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9434 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the heap information exposure can potentially reveal sensitive data structures, memory addresses, and system internals that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform remote information disclosure attacks without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is actively used. The extracted heap information may contain pointers, system configuration data, or other sensitive memory contents that could be used to bypass security mitigations or conduct more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability operates at the system level, meaning that successful exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the Initial Access and Credential Access phases where attackers seek to gather system information and establish footholds. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to conduct automated attacks against Bluetooth-enabled devices. The fact that this vulnerability affects Android 10 and earlier versions indicates it was present in a significant portion of deployed mobile devices, creating a broad attack surface. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system-level components, particularly those handling network protocols and wireless communications. The recommended mitigations include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google, implementation of Bluetooth access controls, and network monitoring to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.