CVE-2015-3869 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 23036083.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3869 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the libstagefright media processing library component of Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This vulnerability resides in the multimedia framework that handles various audio and video file formats, making it a prime target for remote exploitation through maliciously crafted media content. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the stagefright subsystem, which processes multimedia files without adequate safeguards against malformed data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of media file parsing operations where the libstagefright library fails to properly validate the structure and content of incoming media files before processing them. When a specially crafted media file is processed, the library's parsing routines encounter unexpected data patterns that lead to memory corruption conditions. This memory corruption can manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free errors, or other memory management anomalies that result in unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Android multimedia framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard media playback operations without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3869 extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. This remote code execution vulnerability enables adversaries to gain full control over the affected Android device, potentially allowing them to install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices and versions, creating a substantial attack surface that includes smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices running vulnerable Android versions. The nature of the flaw makes it particularly attractive to threat actors as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and instant messaging applications that process multimedia content automatically.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and it aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including TA0002 (Execution) and TA0006 (Credential Access). The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a remote code execution flaw that can be exploited through the T1059.007 technique involving command and scripting interpreter usage. Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of the Android security patches released in version 5.1.1 LMY48T, which contain fixes for the memory corruption issues within libstagefright. Organizations should also implement network-based filtering to block suspicious media file types, deploy mobile device management solutions to enforce security policies, and conduct regular security assessments of their mobile environments. Additionally, users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and keep their devices updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.