CVE-2020-0207 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In next_marker of jdmarker.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to improper input validation. 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-135532289
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0207 resides within the next_marker function of the jdmarker.c file, representing a critical out-of-bounds read condition that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This flaw exists in the Android 10 operating system and is catalogued under Android ID A-135532289, demonstrating how seemingly minor input handling issues can create substantial security risks. The vulnerability manifests when processing JPEG marker data structures, where the function fails to properly validate the bounds of input data before attempting to read from memory locations that may extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the next_marker function which processes JPEG file markers without sufficient boundary checks on the input data stream. When maliciously crafted JPEG files are processed, the function can attempt to read memory locations that fall outside the valid data range, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and Output Encoding, specifically addressing improper validation of length values that leads to buffer over-read conditions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it relates to improper handling of structured data that can be exploited through file processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables remote attackers to extract potentially sensitive data from memory locations that may contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The exploitation requires only user interaction through the delivery of a malicious JPEG file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download or view images from untrusted sources. Since no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation, the vulnerability can be leveraged across various attack vectors including web browsers, email clients, and image viewing applications that process JPEG files. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content while browsing the internet or receiving attachments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms that enforce strict bounds checking on all buffer operations within the JPEG parsing subsystem. Android security patches typically address such issues by introducing proper length validation before memory access operations, ensuring that all input data is verified against expected ranges before processing. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as the exposure of sensitive memory contents can lead to cascading security issues including privilege escalation or further exploitation of adjacent vulnerabilities. The fix should include comprehensive testing of JPEG parsing functionality to ensure that boundary conditions are properly handled and that no memory access violations occur during normal operation or malicious input processing.