CVE-2020-0351 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libstagefright, there is possible CPU 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-124777537
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0351 resides within the libstagefright media framework component of Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote denial of service attacks through CPU exhaustion. This vulnerability specifically targets the improper input validation mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, where the system fails to adequately validate and sanitize media file inputs before processing them. The flaw exists in the stagefright framework that handles multimedia content including audio and video files, making it a prime target for exploitation through malicious media files delivered via various attack vectors such as email attachments, web downloads, or instant messaging applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation within the media parsing routines. When a maliciously crafted media file is processed by libstagefright, the system's failure to properly validate input parameters leads to excessive CPU resource consumption during the parsing process. This occurs because the framework enters into computationally expensive operations or infinite loops when encountering malformed input data, causing the device's CPU to become overwhelmed with processing tasks. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-772: Insufficient Resource Management, which directly relates to the improper handling of system resources during media processing operations. The attack requires no special privileges or execution rights, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely through simple media file delivery mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0351 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can render affected Android devices completely unresponsive or severely degraded in performance. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the affected device to consume excessive CPU cycles, potentially leading to system instability, application crashes, and complete device lockup. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile devices where system resources are limited and efficient resource management is critical for normal operation. The vulnerability affects Android 11 and earlier versions, with the Android ID A-124777537 documenting the specific issue within Google's internal tracking system. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, as it leverages media processing capabilities to execute malicious code through resource exhaustion.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0351 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches and updates provided by Google and device manufacturers. The vulnerability requires a system-level update to address the underlying input validation flaws within libstagefright, making timely patch deployment critical for device security. Organizations should implement network-based filtering to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious media files, particularly in enterprise environments where device management is centralized. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening unknown media files and the importance of keeping devices updated cannot be overstated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia frameworks and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of media processing components. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement endpoint protection measures that can detect anomalous CPU usage patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.