CVE-2015-3872 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 23346388.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3872 affects the libstagefright media processing library in Android versions prior to 5.1.1 LMY48T. This critical flaw resides in the multimedia framework that handles various audio and video file formats, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media parser component, which processes multimedia files without adequate sanitization of user-supplied data. Attackers can craft malicious media files that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable library, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues within the stagefright framework's parsing routines. When a specially crafted media file is processed, the library fails to properly validate the structure and boundaries of the input data, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of certain multimedia containers such as mp4, 3gp, and other formats supported by the stagefright library. This allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical system structures or execute malicious code with the privileges of the media processing service.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android devices since media files are commonly encountered through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, and messaging applications. The remote attack vector means that users need not interact with malicious content directly, as simply opening or previewing a crafted media file can trigger exploitation. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential large-scale attacks against Android ecosystems, particularly affecting devices running Android versions 4.4 and earlier where the vulnerability remains unpatched. Organizations with Android device management policies face increased risk of enterprise-wide compromises when legacy devices remain in use without proper security updates.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory Android security updates to version 5.1.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues in libstagefright. Network-based protections such as content filtering and sandboxing of media file processing should be deployed to reduce exposure risk. Device administrators should disable automatic media preview features and restrict media file downloads from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and relates to attack techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1059 command and scripting interpreter and T1203 social engineering. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically enforce security policies and monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on media processing components can help identify potential variants of this vulnerability in custom Android implementations or third-party applications that rely on the vulnerable framework.