CVE-2015-3839 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The updateMessageStatus function in Android 5.1.1 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer exception and process crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3839 resides within the updateMessageStatus function of Android operating systems version 5.1.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the messaging framework, specifically when processing message status updates. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer exception that ultimately leads to process crashes, effectively disrupting the normal operation of messaging services on affected devices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or permissions to exploit, making it accessible to any local user with access to the device. The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, where the application attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of software defects that can lead to system instability and service disruption.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-3839 occurs when a local malicious process or application attempts to invoke the updateMessageStatus function with malformed or improperly structured input parameters. The function fails to properly validate the incoming message status data, allowing a NULL pointer to be dereferenced during the processing sequence. This NULL pointer dereference results in an immediate crash of the messaging service process, which can be restarted automatically by the system but often leads to temporary unavailability of messaging functionality. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect the overall stability of the messaging framework and potentially compromise user experience by interrupting communication services. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a vector for persistent denial of service attacks where an attacker can repeatedly trigger the crash condition to maintain service unavailability. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics aligned with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion or service interruption, though in this case the disruption occurs at the application level rather than network level.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3839 extends beyond immediate service disruption to encompass potential privacy and data integrity concerns. When the messaging service crashes repeatedly, users may lose access to important communication channels, and in some cases, unsaved messages or pending communications could be lost. The vulnerability affects the core messaging infrastructure of Android devices, potentially impacting both SMS and MMS functionality, which are critical communication pathways for many users. The local privilege requirement for exploitation means that any application running with user-level permissions can trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications are installed or where users may inadvertently execute malicious code. The vulnerability also represents a broader concern about software quality assurance in mobile operating systems, where insufficient input validation and error handling can create exploitable conditions that affect device reliability and user trust. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often indicate deeper architectural issues in software design that may leave other components of the system exposed to similar threats. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official Android security updates and patches, while also implementing additional monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation and error handling mechanisms in mobile operating system components, particularly those handling user communications and data processing functions.