CVE-2015-3835 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the OMXNodeInstance::emptyBuffer function in omx/OMXNodeInstance.cpp in libstagefright in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48I allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted application, aka internal bug 20634516.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2015-3835 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Android multimedia framework, specifically in the libstagefright library's OMXNodeInstance::emptyBuffer function. This issue affects Android versions prior to 5.1.1 LMY48I and enables remote code execution through specially crafted applications. The vulnerability resides in the OMXNodeInstance.cpp file within the omx directory, making it a core component of the Android multimedia subsystem that handles multimedia processing operations. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed multimedia data, particularly within the emptyBuffer function which manages buffer operations for multimedia components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the buffer management routine. When an application submits multimedia data to the stagefright framework, the emptyBuffer function fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs when attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the system-level multimedia processing framework, allowing attackers to leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the multimedia processing service.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3835 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers can craft malicious multimedia files or applications that trigger the buffer overflow condition, enabling them to gain unauthorized access to the device's processing capabilities. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model by allowing privilege escalation from application-level execution to system-level code execution. The flaw operates through the Android multimedia framework's component-based architecture, where the OMX (OpenMAX) interface facilitates communication between multimedia components and the underlying system. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps to a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques through system component exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3835 primarily focus on system updates and security hardening measures. The most effective approach involves installing the Android security patch released in version 5.1.1 LMY48I, which includes proper bounds checking and memory management fixes within the libstagefright library. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected Android devices. Additional defensive measures include network-level filtering to prevent malicious multimedia content from reaching devices, application sandboxing to limit multimedia processing capabilities, and runtime monitoring for anomalous buffer operations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-787 indicates that memory safety controls are inadequate, making proper input validation and bounds checking essential defensive mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically enforce security policies and monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.