CVE-2020-0320 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libstagefright, there is a possible resource exhaustion due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-129282427
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0320 resides within the libstagefright media framework component of Android operating systems, representing a critical resource exhaustion flaw that can be exploited remotely without requiring elevated privileges. This issue affects Android 11 and is catalogued under Android ID A-129282427, demonstrating the severity and widespread impact of improper input validation within core multimedia processing libraries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of media file inputs, specifically affecting how the system handles malformed or maliciously crafted media content during processing.
The technical flaw manifests when libstagefright processes media files containing malformed data structures that trigger excessive memory allocation or processing cycles. This improper input validation allows attackers to craft specially designed media files that cause the framework to consume disproportionate system resources, ultimately leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer within the multimedia processing pipeline, leveraging the stagefright framework's handling of various media formats including but not limited to mp4, 3gp, and other container formats. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious media content through various attack vectors such as email attachments, messaging applications, or web-based media delivery systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote denial of service attacks that can disrupt normal device functionality without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond receiving the malicious media content. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core multimedia processing capabilities that are frequently utilized across various applications and system services. The resource exhaustion can manifest as complete system hangs, application crashes, or forced reboots, effectively rendering the device unusable for legitimate operations. This vulnerability particularly impacts user experience and device reliability, as it can be triggered through common media consumption activities such as viewing emails with embedded media, accessing web content, or using messaging applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1489 for denial of service, while the underlying CWE classification falls under CWE-400 which addresses unspecified resource exhaustion. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Google, implementing network-based filtering of suspicious media content, and establishing robust application sandboxing controls. Additionally, users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and maintain updated device firmware to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and resource management in multimedia frameworks, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of core system components that handle external data inputs.