CVE-2015-1530 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmedia/IAudioPolicyService.cpp in Android before 5.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with media_server privileges or cause a denial of service (integer overflow) via a crafted application that provides an invalid array size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-1530 represents a critical security flaw within the Android media framework that affects versions prior to 5.1. This issue resides in the media/libmedia/IAudioPolicyService.cpp component which serves as a crucial interface for audio policy management within the Android operating system. The vulnerability manifests through an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing array size parameters provided by malicious applications, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation or system instability.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the audio policy service implementation where the system fails to properly validate array size parameters received from untrusted applications. When a crafted application submits an invalid array size value, the system's integer handling mechanism can overflow, resulting in unexpected behavior that may allow attackers to manipulate memory layouts or bypass security controls. This vulnerability operates at the system level where the media_server process runs with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could grant attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the media server daemon.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial of service conditions that could render audio functionality unusable or even compromise the entire system stability. Attackers could leverage this flaw to either gain unauthorized code execution capabilities within the media_server context or to cause system crashes that would prevent legitimate audio operations from functioning properly. The integer overflow condition creates unpredictable memory access patterns that could be exploited to manipulate system behavior in ways that are difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation mechanisms in place.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector described in the CVE follows typical patterns seen in Android security exploits where applications with limited privileges attempt to leverage system-level components to achieve elevated access. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system privileges to gain access to protected resources. Organizations should consider implementing proper array bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms in their security hardening efforts, particularly within system services that handle untrusted input from user applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1530 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android versions to 5.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and integer overflow protection. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability, while monitoring for unusual audio service behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of media framework components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited through comparable attack vectors, ensuring that input validation mechanisms are properly implemented throughout the system architecture to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components.