CVE-2020-0329 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the OMX encoder, there is a possible out of bounds read due to invalid input validation. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-63522940
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0329 resides within the OMX encoder component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 11 implementations. This represents a critical security flaw that manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition, stemming from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the multimedia encoding framework. The issue occurs when the OMX encoder processes malformed or improperly validated input data, creating a scenario where memory access extends beyond allocated boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when a program accesses memory beyond the bounds of a buffer or array. The flaw specifically impacts the OMX encoder's input validation routines, where insufficient checks allow malformed data to traverse the validation pipeline. This allows an attacker to craft input sequences that cause the encoder to access memory locations outside its intended operational boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for local information disclosure attacks. The exploitability requires no additional execution privileges, meaning that any process running with standard user permissions can potentially leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the system. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without requiring user engagement or specific actions. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability can expose system memory contents including potentially sensitive data, session information, or other confidential material stored in adjacent memory locations.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a foundational security weakness within Android's multimedia processing stack. The OMX encoder serves as a core component for handling multimedia encoding operations across various applications and system services, making this vulnerability potentially widespread in its reach. Attackers could potentially use this flaw to extract cryptographic keys, application data, or other confidential information that might be stored in memory regions adjacent to the encoder's operational space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0329 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the OMX encoder component. System administrators and developers should ensure that all input data undergoes comprehensive validation before being processed by the encoder, with particular attention to boundary checking and buffer overflow prevention. The Android security team addressed this vulnerability through patches that strengthen the input validation routines within the OMX encoder, emphasizing proper bounds checking and data sanitization. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest Android security updates and patches to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and memory protection mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.