CVE-2016-2413 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmedia/IOMX.cpp in mediaserver in Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-04-01 does not initialize a handle pointer, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 26403627.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2413 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android media subsystem that affects multiple versions of the operating system. This issue resides in the mediaserver process which handles multimedia operations and is a core component of Android's media framework. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android versions 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before the 2016-04-01 security update, making it a significant concern for devices running these older releases. The flaw occurs in the IOMX.cpp file which manages OpenMAX IL (Open Media Framework) interfaces for multimedia processing, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges to system-level access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory initialization within the mediaserver component where a handle pointer remains uninitialized during the processing of multimedia operations. This uninitialized pointer creates a predictable memory state that attackers can exploit through crafted applications to manipulate the mediaserver's execution flow. When the mediaserver processes multimedia requests, the uninitialized handle pointer can be manipulated to point to attacker-controlled memory locations, allowing for arbitrary code execution within the privileged mediaserver context. This misconfiguration violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem level access, which represents the highest privilege levels available in Android's permission model. This access level allows attackers to install applications with system-level privileges, modify system components, and access sensitive data that would normally be protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through ordinary applications without requiring special privileges or root access, making it an attractive target for malicious actors. The attack vector demonstrates how a flaw in a system service can be leveraged to gain complete control over the device, as the mediaserver process runs with elevated privileges and has access to system resources and APIs.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions. The attack scenario typically involves a malicious application that triggers the uninitialized pointer condition through crafted multimedia operations, leading to privilege escalation. Organizations should note that this vulnerability was patched in the 2016-04-01 security update, but devices that remain unpatched continue to be at risk. The remediation strategy focuses on applying the appropriate security patches and ensuring that all Android devices are updated to versions that contain the fix for this uninitialized pointer issue. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability and implement proper application sandboxing measures to limit potential impact.