CVE-2016-0836 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in decoder/impeg2d_vld.c in mediaserver in Android 6.x before 2016-04-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 25812590.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-0836 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Android mediaserver component that affects Android 6.x versions prior to the 2016-04-01 security patch release. This vulnerability resides in the decoder/impeg2d_vld.c file, which is part of the MPEG-2 video decoding functionality within the Android media framework. The flaw specifically impacts the mediaserver process that handles multimedia processing tasks, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious media files that can trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by the affected Android version, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system denial of service.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the MPEG-2 video decoder implementation. When the mediaserver processes a specially crafted media file containing malformed MPEG-2 video data, the decoder fails to properly bounds-check buffer operations during the video decoding process. This allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer allocated for video data processing, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw occurs during the video decoding phase where the decoder attempts to parse and process the MPEG-2 video stream without adequate safeguards against malicious input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers who can deliver a crafted media file to an affected Android device can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mediaserver process. This represents a significant escalation of privilege risk since the mediaserver typically runs with elevated system permissions to handle multimedia processing tasks. The attack surface includes any application or service that processes multimedia content, including email clients, web browsers, and file sharing applications that might automatically process media attachments. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it in the privilege escalation and code execution domains, with potential for lateral movement and persistent access to affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0836 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released in the 2016-04-01 update cycle. Organizations and users must ensure immediate deployment of the Android security patches that address this specific buffer overflow condition in the MPEG-2 decoder. System administrators should also implement network-based filtering to block suspicious media file types and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent execution of untrusted media content. Additional defensive measures include disabling automatic media processing for unknown file types, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media applications, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of timely security patch management and the inherent risks associated with multimedia processing components in operating systems.