CVE-2016-0824 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libmpeg2 in libstagefright in Android 6.x before 2016-03-01 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, and consequently bypass an unspecified protection mechanism, via crafted Bitstream data, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 25765591.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0824 represents a critical security flaw within the libmpeg2 library component of Android's Stagefright multimedia framework. This issue affects Android 6.x versions released prior to March 1, 2016, and demonstrates the dangerous potential of multimedia processing libraries to compromise system security. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of MPEG2 bitstream data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's security mechanisms. The flaw specifically enables attackers to bypass unspecified protection mechanisms, which can result in unauthorized access to sensitive system components and capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the libstagefright framework's handling of MPEG2 video streams, where the libmpeg2 library fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming bitstream data. When processing crafted malicious data, the system's memory management and access controls become compromised, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from the device. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities. The exploitation technique involves carefully constructed MPEG2 bitstream data that triggers memory corruption or unexpected behavior in the multimedia processing pipeline, ultimately allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain access to restricted system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0824 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to bypass critical Android security protections that govern access to system-level components. The vulnerability specifically allows exploitation of Signature or SignatureOrSystem access levels, which represents a significant escalation in attacker capabilities. This means that an attacker could potentially gain access to applications and system services that are normally restricted to system-level or privileged applications. The implications of such a vulnerability are particularly severe because it operates at the multimedia processing layer, which is frequently accessed by users and applications, making it an attractive target for exploitation. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread use of multimedia processing in Android devices, making the vulnerability potentially exploitable across a broad range of devices and applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1068 privilege escalation and T1059 command and control categories. The vulnerability demonstrates how attackers can leverage seemingly benign multimedia processing functions to achieve unauthorized system access, which represents a classic example of how application-level vulnerabilities can be weaponized for system compromise. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability was particularly concerning because it could be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, text messages containing multimedia content, or malicious websites that automatically download and process multimedia streams. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions and its ability to bypass standard security controls made it a significant concern for mobile security professionals and device manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0824 primarily focus on implementing timely security patches and updates from Google, as well as applying the relevant Android security bulletins released in March 2016. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched versions of Android 6.0 and related components, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until properly addressed. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-based filtering of multimedia content, particularly when the source is untrusted, and ensuring that automatic multimedia processing is disabled where possible. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia libraries, specifically emphasizing the need for robust input validation, proper memory management, and comprehensive error handling in multimedia processing components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation often involves automated attacks that can be identified through network traffic analysis.