CVE-2020-0181 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In exif_data_load_data_thumbnail of exif-data.c, there is a possible denial of service due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-145075076
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0181 resides within the exif_data_load_data_thumbnail function in the exif-data.c source file of Android's imaging library. This flaw represents a critical integer overflow condition that can be exploited to cause a denial of service attack. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 10 operating system versions and is tracked under Android ID A-145075076. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of EXIF thumbnail data, which is metadata embedded within image files that contains information about the image's characteristics and properties.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the EXIF data parsing mechanism. When the exif_data_load_data_thumbnail function processes thumbnail data, it performs calculations that can exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the integer data type being used. This overflow condition results in unpredictable behavior where the application may allocate insufficient memory or attempt to access invalid memory addresses. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through the processing of maliciously crafted image files containing malformed EXIF thumbnails, making it a remote attack vector that requires no special privileges or user interaction for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect any Android 10 device that processes image files containing EXIF metadata. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened or processed by affected applications, will trigger the integer overflow condition and cause the application to crash or become unresponsive. This creates a persistent denial of service condition that can be exploited across various applications that rely on EXIF data processing, including photo viewers, image editors, and document management systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that simply receiving or opening an infected image file can compromise system availability without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0181 should prioritize the immediate application of security patches released by Google as part of the Android security updates. Organizations should ensure their Android 10 devices receive the latest security updates that address this specific integer overflow condition in the EXIF data processing library. Additionally, implementing network-level controls to filter potentially malicious image files and establishing monitoring protocols for unusual application crashes or service disruptions can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of how improper input validation can lead to denial of service attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage software flaws to compromise system availability. System administrators should also consider implementing application sandboxing and file validation mechanisms to prevent the processing of untrusted image files, particularly in environments where users may encounter unknown or potentially malicious content.