CVE-2015-6603 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libstagefright 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 media file, aka internal bug 23227354.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6603 resides within the libstagefright media processing library component of Android operating systems prior to version 5.1.1 LMY48T. This critical security flaw affects the multimedia framework that handles various audio and video file formats, including mp4, 3gpp, and other container formats. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media parser implementation, creating a path for malicious actors to exploit memory corruption issues through specially crafted media files. The affected system components operate at a low level within the Android framework, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during normal media playback operations.
The technical flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that occurs when libstagefright processes malformed media files containing specially constructed data structures. This particular vulnerability involves buffer overflows and improper memory management during the parsing of media headers and metadata, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the actual exploitation vector involves heap memory corruption through improper handling of media file parsing routines. The flaw exists in the way the library handles certain media format specifications, particularly when parsing mp4 and 3gpp files that contain crafted malicious data within their metadata or payload sections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack surfaces within Android devices, as any application or service that processes media files can potentially be exploited. Attackers can remotely deliver malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, text messages containing media links, or compromised websites. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media processing service, potentially leading to full device control. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered without user interaction beyond opening or playing the malicious media file, making it a prime candidate for automated exploitation campaigns. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the device environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6603 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google as part of the Android Security Bulletin for 2015-10-01. Organizations and users should immediately update their Android devices to version 5.1.1 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to address the memory corruption issues in libstagefright. Additionally, security administrators should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious media file attachments and disable automatic media playback in email clients and web browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia frameworks, particularly around input validation and memory management, and aligns with security recommendations from the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include examination of media processing components to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom applications or third-party libraries that may be vulnerable to similar exploitation techniques.