CVE-2015-7716 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libstagefright in Android 5.x 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 20721050, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7716 affects the libstagefright media processing library in Android 5.x versions prior to 5.1.1 LMY48T. This critical flaw resides within the multimedia framework that handles various audio and video file formats, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media parser component, which processes multimedia content received through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, and messaging applications. Attackers can craft malicious media files that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable library, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific memory corruption flaw that occurs during the parsing of malformed media files. When libstagefright encounters crafted input data, it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation parameters, resulting in out-of-bounds writes or read operations that corrupt adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or executable code, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the media processing service. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Android multimedia subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors without requiring user interaction beyond opening or downloading the malicious file.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7716 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack surface that can be exploited across multiple Android platforms. The vulnerability affects all Android 5.x devices running versions before 5.1.1, creating a massive attack surface encompassing millions of devices worldwide. Security researchers have classified this issue as a severe threat due to its ability to be exploited remotely, meaning users can be compromised simply by receiving malicious media content through standard communication channels. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered automatically when media files are processed by the system, including when files are merely viewed in email clients or downloaded through web browsers, making user awareness insufficient as a protective measure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android systems to the 5.1.1 LMY48T release or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious media files, particularly those with unusual extensions or from untrusted sources. The Android security model should be enhanced with additional input validation layers and memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce exploit reliability. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious media file processing activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and improper privilege management, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that media processing functions operate correctly without exposing the system to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could be exploited through different attack vectors.