CVE-2019-9452 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the Android kernel in SEC_TS touch driver there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9452 resides within the Android kernel's SEC_TS touch driver component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of mobile device operating systems. This issue manifests as a missing bounds check that creates an opportunity for out-of-bounds read conditions, fundamentally compromising the kernel's ability to properly validate input data. The SEC_TS touch driver serves as a crucial interface between hardware touch sensors and the Android operating system, making it a prime target for exploitation given its privileged execution context and direct hardware access capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a potential information disclosure threat underscores its significance in the broader context of mobile security architectures.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the SEC_TS touch driver fails to validate the boundaries of data structures during input processing, allowing malicious actors to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This out-of-bounds read condition can potentially expose sensitive kernel memory regions containing critical system information, credentials, or confidential data structures. The flaw operates at the kernel level where system execution privileges are required for exploitation, indicating that attackers must already possess elevated privileges or have achieved a foothold within the system to leverage this vulnerability effectively. However, the absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this threat particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without user awareness or consent.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9452 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel memory could contain sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, memory addresses, or other system artifacts that could facilitate further attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses the weakness of insufficient input validation leading to out-of-bounds reads, and represents a classic example of how kernel-level drivers can create persistent security risks. The implications for mobile device security are significant since the touch driver operates continuously and maintains persistent access to hardware resources, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the system.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability can be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the kernel execution environment where attackers can leverage missing bounds checks to extract system information. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest it may be exploitable through techniques such as information disclosure or memory corruption attacks, potentially enabling attackers to gain deeper insights into the system's memory layout. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface analysis, particularly in environments where kernel-level access is required for exploitation. The remediation approach typically involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the SEC_TS touch driver code, ensuring that all input data is validated against predetermined buffer limits before processing, thereby preventing unauthorized memory access patterns that could lead to information disclosure or system compromise.