CVE-2016-0804 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The NuPlayer::GenericSource::notifyPreparedAndCleanup function in media/libmediaplayerservice/nuplayer/GenericSource.cpp in mediaserver in Android 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49G and 6.x before 2016-02-01 improperly manages mDrmManagerClient objects, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 25070434.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0804 resides within the Android mediaserver component, specifically in the NuPlayer::GenericSource::notifyPreparedAndCleanup function located in media/libmediaplayerservice/nuplayer/GenericSource.cpp. This flaw affects Android versions 5.x prior to 5.1.1 LMY49G and Android 6.x prior to the 2016-02-01 security update, representing a critical memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited remotely through malicious media files. The vulnerability stems from improper management of mDrmManagerClient objects, which are responsible for handling digital rights management operations within the media playback framework. This issue falls under CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereferences, and more specifically aligns with CWE-121 for heap-based buffer overflows and CWE-125 for out-of-bounds reads that can lead to memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious media file is processed by the mediaserver, triggering the flawed notification mechanism that handles DRM client objects. During the preparation and cleanup phases of media playback, the system fails to properly validate or manage the mDrmManagerClient object lifecycle, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted input files. This improper object management can result in arbitrary code execution when the vulnerable code attempts to access or modify memory locations that have been corrupted or improperly allocated. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the system level within the mediaserver process, which runs with elevated privileges and has direct access to system resources. According to ATT&CK framework reference T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistent access to devices through code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0804 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to achieve full system compromise. Remote attackers can craft specially designed media files that trigger the vulnerability when played through the Android media framework, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This represents a significant threat to mobile device security since it targets the core media processing infrastructure that handles multimedia content across various applications. The vulnerability affects not only individual applications but the entire Android operating system framework, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where mobile devices are extensively used. The memory corruption can manifest as heap corruption, stack corruption, or other forms of memory instability that could lead to system crashes or more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Organizations should note that this vulnerability was particularly impactful as it affected a wide range of Android devices and required immediate patching across multiple Android versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0804 primarily focus on applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the improper object management within the NuPlayer component. System administrators should ensure all affected Android devices are updated to Android 5.1.1 LMY49G or later versions, or Android 6.0 and later with the corresponding February 2016 security updates. Additionally, organizations can implement network-level controls to restrict access to untrusted media content, particularly when using mobile devices for entertainment or file sharing. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management in mobile operating systems and demonstrates the critical need for robust input validation in multimedia frameworks. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous media processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices for memory management and object lifecycle handling, particularly in system-level components that process untrusted input data. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their mobile device management systems to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.