CVE-2020-0381 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Parse_wave of eas_mdls.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote information disclosure in a highly constrained process with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10 Android-11Android ID: A-150159669
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0381 resides within the parse_wave function of the eas_mdls.c file, representing a critical integer overflow flaw that can result in out-of-bounds write conditions. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 8.0, 8.1, 9, 10, and 11, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability manifests during audio processing operations where the system fails to properly validate integer values before performing memory allocation calculations, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause arithmetic overflow conditions.
The technical nature of this flaw places it under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates within the Android media processing framework, where audio wave data is parsed and handled, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through media file manipulation. The integer overflow occurs when the system attempts to calculate memory requirements for audio wave data processing, where the multiplication or addition of integer values exceeds the maximum representable value, causing the result to wrap around to a smaller value. This overflow condition directly translates to an out-of-bounds write operation when the system attempts to allocate memory based on the corrupted calculated value.
From an operational perspective, exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to remote information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning for mobile security. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted audio files to a target device, which when processed by the affected Android system triggers the integer overflow condition. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can potentially allow attackers to read sensitive memory contents, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored within the application's memory space. The highly constrained process environment where this occurs means that even though the exploitation requires no additional privileges, the potential for data leakage remains significant due to the privileged nature of the media processing components.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0381 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates, specifically targeting the affected Android versions from 8.0 through 11. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches to protect their Android devices from potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing network-level controls to filter potentially malicious media files, particularly those from untrusted sources, can provide an additional layer of defense. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers application layer protocol execution, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute code or extract information through media file manipulation. System administrators should monitor for any unusual network traffic patterns or file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that device firmware and applications remain up-to-date with the latest security patches to prevent successful exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in the media processing subsystem.