CVE-2020-0364 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In libDRCdec, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. 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-137282770
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0364 resides within the libDRCdec library component of Android systems, specifically affecting Android 11 installations. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the digital rights management decoding subsystem. The vulnerability manifests as a missing bounds check during the processing of decoded data streams, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring any elevated privileges or additional execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the libDRCdec library processes malformed or specially crafted input data. When the library attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, it can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" in the context of memory corruption exploitation patterns. The flaw specifically affects how the library handles decoded digital rights management content, where the absence of proper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate input parameters and trigger the out-of-bounds memory access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive data that may include system configuration details, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. The requirement for user interaction indicates that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering tactics where users must open malicious content or interact with compromised applications. This characteristic reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as modern mobile environments often involve complex application ecosystems where users may unknowingly trigger exploitation through routine activities such as opening attachments, browsing compromised websites, or installing malicious applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0364 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches provided by Android security teams, as these releases typically contain fixed implementations of the libDRCdec library with proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring systems to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory access violations and unusual data retrieval patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious content and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in security-critical components and highlights the necessity of continuous security assessments for all system libraries, especially those handling sensitive data processing operations.