CVE-2015-6628 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Media Framework in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48Z and 6.0 before 2015-12-01 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, and consequently bypass an unspecified protection mechanism, via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 24074485.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6628 resides within the Media Framework component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.1.1 LMY48Z and 6.0 before the 2015-12-01 security patch release. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that enables attackers to extract sensitive information from the system, ultimately allowing them to bypass unspecified protection mechanisms. The vulnerability was internally documented as bug 24074485, indicating its discovery within Google's internal tracking systems. The attack vector operates through unknown methods that remain unspecified in the public CVE description, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals who cannot easily predict or defend against the precise exploitation techniques.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the Media Framework's improper handling of sensitive information within the Android security model. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem access privileges, which represent elevated security permissions within the Android system. This access level allows malicious actors to perform actions that would normally be restricted to system-level applications or those with specific digital signatures. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses the normal Android security boundaries, potentially enabling attackers to execute code with system-level privileges or access protected system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6628 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the Android security architecture by enabling unauthorized access to system-level privileges. This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious applications to gain elevated permissions without proper authentication or authorization, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The ability to obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem access creates opportunities for attackers to install malicious applications that can operate with the same privileges as legitimate system applications, effectively breaking the application sandboxing model that Android relies upon for security isolation. Such exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive user data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the security patches released by Google as part of the 2015-12-01 security update cycle. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to versions 5.1.1 LMY48Z or later, or 6.0 with the appropriate security patches installed. System administrators should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure timely patch deployment across all enterprise devices. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) categories, representing a serious breach in the Android security model. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers could use the elevated access to maintain long-term control over compromised devices. The vulnerability also represents a critical concern for mobile device management and enterprise security programs, as it could enable attackers to compromise entire corporate device fleets if not addressed promptly.