CVE-2020-0195 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ihevcd_iquant_itrans_recon_ctb of ihevcd_iquant_itrans_recon_ctb.c and related functions, there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-144686961
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0195 resides within the ihevcd_iquant_itrans_recon_ctb function of the Android media codec implementation, specifically in the ihevcd_iquant_itrans_recon_ctb.c source file. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from the improper handling of uninitialized memory data during video decoding operations. The issue manifests when the decoder processes certain video frames that trigger the quantization and inverse transformation reconstruction functions, creating a scenario where sensitive data from memory locations remains uninitialized and potentially accessible to malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables, and specifically relates to improper initialization of data structures within the video decoding pipeline. The vulnerability occurs during the inverse transform reconstruction process where the decoder fails to properly initialize memory buffers before utilizing them in subsequent processing steps. This uninitialized data contamination can expose previously stored information including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive system data that may have resided in the affected memory regions. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Android media framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Android ecosystem. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely through specially crafted video content or media files that trigger the affected decoding path when processed by the vulnerable Android device. The requirement for user interaction indicates that the exploitation typically occurs when a user opens or plays a malicious media file, making this vector particularly concerning for mobile environments where users frequently encounter untrusted media content. This vulnerability affects Android 10 systems and represents a significant security risk for devices running this version, as it can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the device memory without requiring physical access or root privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0195 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent Android security releases. Organizations should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious media content and disable automatic media playback in high-security environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for the use of media decoding components and T1005 for data from local system storage, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for suspicious media file handling activities and implement memory sanitization practices to reduce the risk of uninitialized data exposure. Device manufacturers should ensure proper initialization of all memory buffers within the video decoding pipeline and conduct thorough security testing of media processing components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations.