CVE-2020-0487 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2020
In read_metadata_vorbiscomment_ of stream_decoder.c, there is possible memory exhaustion due to a memory leak. 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-124775381
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0487 represents a critical memory exhaustion issue within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the Vorbis comment metadata parsing functionality. This flaw exists in the stream_decoder.c file where the read_metadata_vorbiscomment_ function fails to properly manage memory allocation during the processing of audio metadata. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory resources when parsing Vorbis comment structures, which are commonly used in audio files such as OGG Vorbis formats. The issue manifests as a memory leak that accumulates over time, eventually leading to system resource exhaustion and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for remote exploitation through specially crafted audio files that contain malformed Vorbis comment metadata. When an Android device processes such files, typically through media playback applications or file browsers, the vulnerable code path is triggered. The memory leak occurs because allocated memory blocks for processing metadata are not properly freed or recycled, causing gradual memory consumption that can eventually exhaust available system resources. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401 as it represents a memory leak that can lead to resource exhaustion conditions. The exploitation requires no elevated privileges and can be initiated through user interaction, typically when opening or playing audio files containing the malicious metadata.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0487 extends beyond simple denial of service, potentially affecting system stability and user experience across various Android 11 devices. Attackers can craft audio files with malicious Vorbis comment structures that, when processed by vulnerable Android systems, cause continuous memory consumption until the system becomes unresponsive or crashes. This vulnerability affects the core media processing capabilities of Android devices, potentially impacting media applications, file managers, and even system-level audio processing functions. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media sharing platforms, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with external media content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0487 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android security updates addressing this vulnerability were released as part of the Android security bulletin, requiring device manufacturers and users to install the latest system updates. Network-level defenses can include implementing media file filtering mechanisms that scan for and block audio files with suspicious metadata structures. Additionally, implementing proper memory management practices in media processing applications can help prevent similar issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in multimedia frameworks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring systems to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves proper memory deallocation and validation of metadata structures before processing, ensuring that memory allocated for parsing operations is correctly freed after use.