CVE-2019-2215
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2019-2215 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Android's Binder inter-process communication driver that allows a malicious local application to gain kernel-level privileges without user interaction. This affects Android devices running vulnerable kernel versions, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Aff Baseboard Management Controller Firmware by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting Aff Baseboard Management Controller Firmware →
Android by Google
Solidfire by Netapp
Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller Firmware by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller Firmware →
Steelstore Cloud Integrated Storage by Netapp
View all CVEs affecting Steelstore Cloud Integrated Storage →
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise with root access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and bypassing all security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling attackers to gain root access on compromised devices, often used in targeted attacks or as part of exploit chains.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched, though unpatched devices remain vulnerable to local attacks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Multiple public exploit proofs exist, and this vulnerability has been used in real-world attacks including by commercial spyware vendors.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel 4.14.114, 4.9.152, 4.4.179, 3.18.139 or later; Android security patches from October 2019 onward
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2019-10-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Apply Android security patch from October 2019 or later. 2. Update device through Settings > System > System update. 3. For custom ROMs, apply kernel patches from upstream Linux kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Binder driver
linuxDisable the vulnerable Binder IPC driver (not recommended as it breaks Android functionality)
echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/binder
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications from unknown sources
- Implement application allowlisting and monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version with 'uname -r' and compare against vulnerable versions. Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone.Check Version:
uname -r && getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level is October 2019 or later. Confirm kernel version is patched (4.14.114+, 4.9.152+, 4.4.179+, or 3.18.139+).📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs related to binder driver
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
- SELinux denials for binder operations
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "binder" AND ("use-after-free" OR "panic" OR "oops")🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154911/Android-Binder-Use-After-Free.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155212/Slackware-Security-Advisory-Slackware-14.2-kernel-Updates.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156495/Android-Binder-Use-After-Free.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Oct/38
- http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20191030-01-binder-en
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/01/msg00013.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00001.html
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Nov/11
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191031-0005/
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2019-10-01
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4186-1/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154911/Android-Binder-Use-After-Free.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155212/Slackware-Security-Advisory-Slackware-14.2-kernel-Updates.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156495/Android-Binder-Use-After-Free.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Oct/38
- http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20191030-01-binder-en
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/01/msg00013.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00001.html
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Nov/11
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191031-0005/
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2019-10-01
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4186-1/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-2215
