CVE-2015-3879 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Media Player Framework in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48T allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 23223325.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3879 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Media Player Framework of Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This vulnerability exposes a fundamental security weakness in how the system handles media processing components, creating an avenue for malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard application level access to system-level control. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media framework's processing pipeline, specifically affecting the way the system manages multimedia content execution and resource allocation.
The technical flaw manifests through a crafted application that exploits a buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability within the media player component. When such an application is executed, it can manipulate the media framework's internal state to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Android system architecture, leveraging the trust model that exists between system components and the underlying media processing infrastructure. The flaw is categorized under CWE-119 Improper Access to Memory and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community and are commonly exploited in privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to bypass the standard Android security model and gain unauthorized access to system resources, files, and capabilities that should remain restricted to system-level processes only. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can install additional malware, modify system files, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. This vulnerability directly affects the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to Android's security architecture, undermining the application sandboxing mechanisms that protect user data and system integrity. The attack vector requires only that a user install and execute a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various channels including third-party app stores or social engineering tactics.
Organizations and users affected by CVE-2015-3879 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Android 5.1.1 LMY48T or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. The patch addresses the underlying memory handling issues by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the media framework components. Security teams should also consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can prevent installation of untrusted applications and monitor for suspicious behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and 'Tactics and Techniques' categories. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments to ensure all devices are updated and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability represents a significant threat to mobile device security and data protection in enterprise environments.