CVE-2015-3875 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libutils 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 audio file, aka internal bug 22952485.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3875 affects the libutils library component within Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This represents a critical security flaw that exists within the foundational system libraries responsible for handling multimedia processing tasks. The vulnerability specifically targets the audio file processing capabilities of the Android framework, creating a potential attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt normal operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the libutils library when processing specially crafted audio files. Attackers can construct malicious audio files that, when processed by the vulnerable Android system, trigger memory corruption errors. These memory corruption issues typically manifest through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other heap-based vulnerabilities that occur during the parsing and handling of audio data structures. The flaw operates at the system level rather than at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass both remote code execution and denial of service scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially gaining full system control and access to sensitive user data. Alternatively, the vulnerability can be used to cause denial of service conditions by corrupting memory structures in ways that crash applications or system processes. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking either persistent access or system disruption. The vulnerability affects all Android versions prior to 5.1.1, representing a substantial attack surface that would have impacted millions of devices globally.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google as part of their regular security releases. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to Android 5.1.1 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and memory management routines. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual audio file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreters. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and network segmentation to limit potential exploitation success. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all components of the Android system are updated consistently, as partial updates may leave systems vulnerable to further exploitation attempts.