CVE-2015-3867 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libstagefright in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48T allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 23213430.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3867 affects the libstagefright media framework component within Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This critical security flaw resides in the multimedia processing capabilities of the Android platform, specifically within the stagefright library that handles various media file formats including mp4, 3gpp, and other container formats. The vulnerability represents a significant threat to mobile device security as it allows remote attackers to exploit memory corruption issues through specially crafted media files that are processed by the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the libstagefright library. When the system processes maliciously formatted media files, the library fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target device. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through media processing components. The flaw occurs during the parsing of media headers and metadata, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory regions and potentially gain control over the system execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3867 extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code remotely without requiring any user interaction or device compromise. This makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently receive multimedia content through various channels including email attachments, messaging applications, web downloads, and social media platforms. The vulnerability can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including email attachments, SMS messages containing multimedia content, and web-based media streams, making it extremely difficult to defend against completely. The memory corruption issue can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive user data, install malicious applications, or establish persistent backdoors on affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android systems to version 5.1.1 or later, which includes the necessary security fixes for the libstagefright library. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect and block suspicious media file traffic, particularly when these files are delivered through email or web services. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted multimedia attachments and should avoid downloading content from unverified sources. Security researchers and system administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing components, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding and defense in depth strategies as recommended by NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks.