CVE-2020-0171 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Parse_lart of eas_mdls.c, there is 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-127313223
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0171 resides within the Parse_lart function of the eas_mdls.c file within Android's media processing subsystem. This issue represents a classic resource exhaustion flaw that occurs when proper bounds checking is omitted during parsing operations. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 10 operating system versions and is catalogued under Android ID A-127313223. The flaw exists in the media model parsing logic where the system fails to validate input parameters before processing them, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the parsing routine through crafted input data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index values, and CWE-770, which covers allocation of resources without proper limits or checks. When an attacker crafts malicious media files or input data that triggers the Parse_lart function, the missing bounds check allows for excessive resource consumption or memory allocation that can cause the system to become unresponsive or crash entirely. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the media processing framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect system stability and availability without requiring any elevated privileges or execution rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0171 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially be exploited to disrupt critical media processing functionality within Android devices. Remote exploitation is possible since the vulnerability can be triggered through malicious media content delivered via various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file transfers. The requirement for user interaction means that attackers must convince victims to open or process the malicious content, but once executed, the vulnerability can cause the device to become unresponsive or require a reboot. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning for mobile environments where users frequently interact with multimedia content from unknown sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and bounds checking within the affected parsing routines. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the latest security patches and updates provided by Google to address this specific flaw. Additionally, implementing network-level filtering to prevent the delivery of suspicious media files and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted multimedia content can significantly reduce exploitation likelihood. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, and T1059.007, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to create persistent denial of service conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and prevent unauthorized resource exhaustion attacks.