CVE-2020-0174 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Parse_ptbl 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-127313537
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0174 resides within the Parse_ptbl function in the eas_mdls.c file of the Android operating system, representing a critical resource exhaustion flaw that can be exploited remotely without requiring elevated privileges. This issue manifests as a missing bounds check during the parsing of table structures, creating a pathway for malicious actors to consume system resources excessively and ultimately cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects Android 10 systems and was assigned the Android ID A-127313537, highlighting its significance within the mobile platform security landscape. The flaw specifically targets the multimedia processing capabilities of the system, where improper validation of input data can lead to uncontrolled resource consumption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Parse_ptbl function failing to validate the boundaries of data structures during parsing operations, allowing for potentially unbounded memory allocation or processing cycles. When an attacker crafts malicious input data that bypasses normal validation checks, the function continues processing without proper bounds enforcement, leading to resource exhaustion. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which describes "Improper Validation of Array Index," and more specifically aligns with CWE-770, "Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling," as the missing bounds check enables unlimited resource consumption. The operational impact occurs when legitimate system processes are starved of resources due to the malicious input causing excessive memory allocation or processing overhead, resulting in system instability and denial of service conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through crafted multimedia content or data structures that trigger the vulnerable parsing function. The requirement for user interaction indicates that exploitation typically occurs through user engagement with malicious content, such as opening specially crafted files or accessing malicious websites that contain the malformed data structures. The attack surface extends to multimedia applications and services that utilize the affected parsing logic, potentially impacting various system components including media players, file processors, and content handling services. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," as it enables adversaries to consume system resources and cause service unavailability. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal access rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0174 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the Parse_ptbl function and related parsing operations. System administrators should ensure timely deployment of security patches provided by Android vendors, as these updates typically include enhanced validation logic and resource limits. The recommended approach involves adding comprehensive input validation routines that enforce strict boundaries on array indices and resource allocations during parsing operations. Additionally, implementing resource throttling mechanisms and monitoring for abnormal resource consumption patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parsing functions within the system. The fix typically involves modifying the affected code to include proper boundary checks and implementing robust error handling that prevents resource exhaustion under malicious input conditions.