CVE-2015-6602 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libutils in Android through 5.1.1 LMY48M allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted metadata in a (1) MP3 or (2) MP4 file, as demonstrated by an attack against use of libutils by libstagefright in Android 5.x.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6602 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the libutils library component of Android operating systems through version 5.1.1 LMY48M. This flaw specifically affects the processing of multimedia metadata within MP3 and MP4 file formats, creating a remote code execution vector that can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious media files. The vulnerability resides in the way Android's Stagefright multimedia framework handles metadata parsing, where the libstagefright component relies on libutils for processing audio and video content, making it a fundamental weakness in the Android media processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the libutils library's handling of multimedia metadata structures. When an Android device processes a specially crafted MP3 or MP4 file, the parsing functions fail to properly validate the size and structure of metadata fields, allowing attackers to overflow heap buffers and overwrite adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically the media player or multimedia framework components. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management routines in libutils, where the lack of proper bounds checking enables attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially redirect execution flow through controlled data corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6602 is severe and far-reaching, as it affects a vast number of Android devices running versions 5.x and earlier, making it one of the most widely exploited vulnerabilities in the Android ecosystem. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by opening or previewing malicious media files, either through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. This vulnerability has been extensively documented in the wild and has been used in various exploit kits and malware campaigns, particularly targeting Android devices with default media processing behaviors. The attack surface is extensive since most Android devices automatically process and preview multimedia content, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries, as the flaw exists in fundamental system components that handle user-supplied content. Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Android versions, disabling automatic media preview functionality, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious media file patterns. Additionally, users should avoid opening media files from untrusted sources and ensure their devices are running the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability that could lead to complete device compromise and data theft.