CVE-2019-11419 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in the WeChat application for Android versions up to 7.0.3 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service by replacing an emoji file with a crafted .wxgf file.

Understanding CVE-2019-11419

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in the WeChat application for Android devices.

What is CVE-2019-11419?

The vulnerability in the vcodec2_hls_filter in libvoipCodec_v7a.so allows attackers to crash the WeChat application by manipulating emoji files.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11419

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability to cause a denial of service, leading to the application crashing.
The attack requires the replacement of an emoji file with a specially crafted .wxgf file.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11419

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies within the vcodec2_hls_filter in libvoipCodec_v7a.so.
Attackers can trigger a denial of service by replacing an emoji file with a crafted .wxgf file.

Affected Systems and Versions

WeChat application for Android versions up to 7.0.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers need to replace an emoji file in the "/sdcard/tencent/MicroMsg" directory with a specially crafted .wxgf file.
The content of the replacement file must be based on the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the targeted device.
The application crashes when a message containing the replaced emoji is received.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2019-11419 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid opening or receiving messages with suspicious emojis.
Regularly update the WeChat application to the latest version.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on the risks of opening files from unknown sources.
Implement security measures to detect and prevent file manipulation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the WeChat application is updated to versions beyond 7.0.3 to mitigate the vulnerability.