CVE-2020-0132 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In BnAAudioService::onTransact of IAAudioService.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to unsafe deserialization. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-139473816
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0132 resides within the BnAAudioService::onTransact function in the IAAudioService.cpp source file of Android systems. This represents a critical security flaw that manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition during the deserialization process of audio service communications. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when processing serialized data transmitted between audio service components, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the realm of CWE-129, which encompasses improper validation of array indices and other bounds checking failures. The flaw occurs during the transaction processing phase of the Android audio service framework, where the system receives and processes inter-process communication requests. When malicious or malformed data is received through the audio service interface, the deserialization routine fails to properly validate the data boundaries before accessing memory locations, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition that can expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices running version 10, as it allows for local information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the system's audio service framework, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has access to sensitive system resources. An attacker could potentially exploit this weakness to extract confidential data such as memory contents, system configuration details, or other sensitive information that might be stored in the adjacent memory locations accessed during the out-of-bounds read.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 category for command and scripting interpreter, as it represents a privilege escalation path that could be leveraged to gain deeper access to system resources. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without the need for social engineering or other attack vectors. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that audio services typically run continuously and maintain persistent connections, providing multiple opportunities for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and bounds checking within the audio service transaction processing code. Android security patches should include enhanced serialization validation routines that verify data integrity before processing, and implement proper memory access controls to prevent unauthorized reads beyond allocated boundaries. System administrators should ensure immediate deployment of security updates and consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual audio service activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix should also incorporate defensive programming practices such as using safe string handling functions and implementing comprehensive error checking for all deserialization operations within the audio service framework to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.