CVE-2015-8507 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
mediaserver in Android 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 24157524, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6616, CVE-2015-8505, and CVE-2015-8506.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8507 affects the mediaserver component in Android 6.0 systems prior to the 2015-12-01 security patch release. This represents a critical memory corruption flaw that exists within the multimedia processing framework of the Android operating system. The mediaserver process serves as the central hub for handling multimedia content including audio, video, and image files across the Android platform, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise device security. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes crafted malicious media files, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the device.
The technical nature of this flaw lies in improper input validation and memory handling within the mediaserver's media processing pipeline. When a maliciously crafted media file is fed into the system, the processing code fails to properly validate or sanitize the file structure, leading to memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service scenarios. This vulnerability operates at a low level within the Android framework, exploiting weaknesses in how the system handles media file parsing and memory allocation. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which represent common memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited for privilege escalation and code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8507 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable full system compromise. Attackers can remotely deliver malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing services, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content. Once exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to device resources, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device control. The memory corruption aspect means that the system's stability is compromised, potentially causing crashes, reboots, or more severe system failures that could render devices unusable. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it provides a pathway for attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8507 primarily focus on timely patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by Google for Android 6.0 systems, which address the memory corruption issues in the mediaserver component. Additionally, implementing network-level filtering to block suspicious media file types and enforcing strict content validation policies can help reduce the attack surface. Mobile device management solutions should be configured to prevent automatic downloading of media content from untrusted sources, and users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from unknown origins. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in multimedia processing components, as well as the need for regular security updates to address emerging threats in mobile operating systems.