CVE-2015-3874 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Sonivox components in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48T allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bugs 23335715, 23307276, and 23286323.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3874 affects the Sonivox multimedia components within Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This represents a critical security flaw that exists within the Android media processing framework, specifically targeting the Sonivox audio processing library that handles various multimedia file formats. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the media parsing routines, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted media files that contain specially designed payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Android system attempts to process a maliciously crafted media file through the Sonivox components. The flaw manifests as memory corruption issues that can be triggered during the parsing of audio or video content, allowing attackers to manipulate memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This memory corruption can be achieved through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that occur when the Sonivox library processes malformed media data structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the Android media framework, potentially affecting all applications that utilize standard media processing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3874 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can also facilitate denial of service conditions that may render affected devices unusable or compromise system stability. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to device functionality, potentially leading to complete system compromise or persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android devices and applications that rely on the Sonivox multimedia components, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and consumer environments where mobile devices handle sensitive data. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the device's operating system context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3874 primarily focus on updating affected Android systems to version 5.1.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through memory management improvements and input validation enhancements. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary security updates. Additional protective measures include network-level filtering of media content, implementing application sandboxing to limit potential exploitation scope, and monitoring for suspicious media file handling activities. Security professionals should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can automatically enforce security policies and ensure timely patch deployment across enterprise device fleets. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia processing components and underscores the need for regular security assessments of system libraries that handle untrusted input data.