CVE-2015-8073 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
mediaserver in Android 4.4 and 5.1 before 5.1.1 LMY48X allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 14388161, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6608 and CVE-2015-8072.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8073 affects the mediaserver component in Android versions 4.4 and 5.1 before 5.1.1 LMY48X, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service through maliciously crafted media files. This vulnerability operates within the Android media processing framework and specifically targets the mediaserver daemon responsible for handling multimedia content including audio and video files. The flaw stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the media parsing routines, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit memory corruption issues through specially crafted media content. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended boundaries of allocated buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the mediaserver process, potentially enabling further system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mediaserver component processing media files without adequate bounds checking on parsed data structures. When a malicious media file is presented to the system, the parser fails to properly validate the size or structure of various media elements, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond the simple act of opening or processing a media file, making it a true remote code execution vulnerability. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of media metadata or content structures, where buffer overflows or underflows can occur when the system attempts to read or write data beyond allocated memory regions. This flaw is distinct from related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-6608 and CVE-2015-8072, indicating a separate code path or implementation issue within the media processing subsystem. The vulnerability affects the Android framework's multimedia handling capabilities and represents a fundamental flaw in the media processing pipeline that can be exploited across various media formats including audio, video, and image files.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8073 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mediaserver process, which typically runs with elevated permissions within the Android security model. The memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system instability. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently download or receive media content from untrusted sources. The attack surface includes all applications that utilize the Android media framework, including the default media player, messaging applications, web browsers, and any third-party applications that process multimedia content. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where mobile devices are commonly used to access corporate networks and sensitive data. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete device compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the mobile environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8073 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android devices to versions 5.1.1 LMY48X or later, which contain the necessary security patches to address the memory corruption issues. The patch implementation addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds checking and memory validation within the media parsing routines. Additionally, network-level mitigations such as media content filtering and sandboxing of media processing components can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Security administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious media file processing activities and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can automatically apply security patches. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue aligns with the principles of secure coding practices outlined in the CWE guidelines, emphasizing the importance of input validation and proper memory management in preventing such exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of untrusted media processing applications and reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation of this vulnerability.