CVE-2015-6596 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
mediaserver in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48T allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bugs 20731946 and 20719651, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7717.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6596 affects the mediaserver component within Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This represents a significant privilege escalation flaw that enables malicious applications to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system-level functionality. The mediaserver process serves as a critical system component responsible for handling multimedia operations including audio and video processing, file management, and media playback functions. When compromised, this service becomes a gateway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the mediaserver daemon. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit memory corruption issues or improper access controls within the media processing pipeline. This flaw specifically relates to how the mediaserver handles certain multimedia file formats or processing requests, allowing crafted inputs to trigger unexpected behavior that results in privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests through the manipulation of media processing operations that should be restricted to system-level processes but can be accessed by regular applications due to inadequate security boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to Android devices as it enables attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and gain root-level access to compromised systems. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can install persistent backdoors, access sensitive user data, modify system files, and potentially control the device remotely. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network infiltration, as attackers can use the elevated privileges to establish persistent access points or propagate malware to other connected devices. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that were released before the 5.1.1 update, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of affected versions.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-6596 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released as part of the 5.1.1 LMY48T update. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches to eliminate the privilege escalation vector. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can help prevent malicious applications from being installed on devices, while network monitoring solutions should be employed to detect suspicious behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," highlighting the specific threat vectors and attack patterns associated with this class of vulnerability.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of securing system-level components in mobile operating systems. The mediaserver represents a common attack surface due to its extensive functionality and frequent interaction with user-generated content. This flaw underscores the need for robust security testing of system services and proper privilege separation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that include regular security updates, application security assessments, and continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple security layers to protect against similar privilege escalation attacks targeting system services.