CVE-2015-8506 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
mediaserver in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48Z and 6.0 before 2015-12-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 24441553, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6616, CVE-2015-8505, and CVE-2015-8507.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8506 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the mediaserver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects versions prior to Android 5.1.1 LMY48Z and Android 6.0 before the 2015-12-01 security patch release, exposing millions of devices to potential exploitation. The mediaserver process serves as a central component responsible for handling multimedia file processing and playback operations across the Android platform, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise device integrity and execute malicious code remotely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted media files that are processed by the mediaserver service. When the system attempts to parse and handle these specially constructed files, the memory corruption flaw manifests, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. This vulnerability specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within the media processing pipeline, where improper bounds checking or unsafe memory operations allow attackers to overwrite critical memory segments or manipulate execution flow. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Android media framework, leveraging weaknesses in the handling of multimedia file formats that are commonly encountered during device media playback operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8506 extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides attackers with a pathway for remote code execution capabilities that could enable full device compromise. An attacker could potentially deliver malicious media files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised media sharing services, without requiring physical access to the target device. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common patterns in memory corruption vulnerabilities. This flaw particularly aligns with attack techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands on compromised devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8506 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management protocols. Organizations and individuals should prioritize applying the relevant Android security patches released by Google, specifically targeting the 2015-12-01 update for Android 6.0 and the LMY48Z release for Android 5.1.1. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as media file filtering and content validation can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security professionals should consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce automatic update policies and monitor for suspicious media file handling activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia processing components and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation and memory safety mechanisms within system services that handle untrusted data from external sources.