CVE-2016-1621 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libvpx in mediaserver in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49H, and 6.0 before 2016-03-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, related to libwebm/mkvparser.cpp and other files, aka internal bug 23452792.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1621 represents a critical memory corruption issue within the libvpx library component of Android's mediaserver implementation. This flaw affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1, and 6.0 before the 2016-03-01 security update. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of crafted media files within the media processing pipeline, specifically involving libwebm/mkvparser.cpp and related files that parse multimedia container formats. The issue manifests when the mediaserver processes maliciously constructed media content, creating a condition where memory corruption occurs during the parsing and decoding operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The flaw occurs during the parsing of WebM media files through the mkvparser.cpp component, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to craft media files that trigger memory corruption during the decoding process. This memory corruption can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mediaserver process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious media content through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or media sharing platforms without requiring physical access to the device.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Android devices as the mediaserver component is responsible for processing multimedia content across numerous applications and system services. The attack surface extends beyond simple media playback to include any application that utilizes the Android media framework for handling video content. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause persistent denial of service conditions that could render devices unusable. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that Android's mediaserver processes are frequently invoked during routine device operations, making exploitation more likely than in less commonly used components. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads, potentially affecting millions of devices across the Android ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1621 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android versions to the latest security updates released by Google. Organizations and device manufacturers should implement robust media validation procedures that include strict input sanitization and file format verification before processing any multimedia content. Network-level defenses should include media content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms that isolate media processing operations from critical system components. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading media content from untrusted sources and should maintain regular security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059 for execution through media processing and T1068 for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for defensive security operations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia libraries and the need for comprehensive input validation in all components that handle external data processing.