CVE-2020-0340 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libcodec2_soft_mp3dec, 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-11Android ID: A-144901522
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0340 resides within the libcodec2_soft_mp3dec component of Android's media processing framework, specifically affecting Android 11 installations. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from the improper handling of uninitialized memory during MP3 decoding operations. The vulnerability manifests when the software fails to properly initialize memory buffers before processing audio data, creating potential pathways for sensitive information leakage.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the software-based MP3 decoder implementation where uninitialized memory segments are accessed during normal operation. When processing MP3 audio files, the decoder may inadvertently expose previously allocated memory regions that contain residual data from prior operations, potentially including confidential information from other applications or system processes. This uninitialized data exposure creates a vector for information disclosure attacks that can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities beyond normal user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental security weakness in Android's media processing pipeline. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially formatted MP3 files that trigger the uninitialized memory access during decoding, potentially extracting sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, personal information, or application memory contents. The requirement for user interaction means that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering or malicious file delivery mechanisms, making the attack surface broader than purely automated exploits. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables, and represents a significant concern for mobile security due to the widespread use of MP3 decoding functionality across Android devices.
The remote exploitation capability of this vulnerability means that malicious actors can potentially compromise device security through network-based attacks without requiring local access or root privileges. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique category, specifically related to command and scripting interpreter usage for information gathering. The attack vector typically involves delivering malicious MP3 files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications that utilize the affected media decoding components. Android's security model, while robust, cannot prevent this type of information leakage when the underlying software components fail to properly initialize memory states.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0340 focus primarily on software updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists at the system-level codec implementation. Users should immediately install available security updates for Android 11 devices, particularly those addressing media processing components. System administrators should implement network-based filtering to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious audio files, while application developers should consider implementing additional input validation and sanitization for media file processing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of memory initialization practices in security-critical code, emphasizing the need for developers to follow secure coding guidelines that prevent uninitialized memory access patterns. Device manufacturers should conduct thorough security testing of media processing components to identify similar uninitialized memory issues that may exist in other codec implementations.