CVE-2016-2415 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
exchange/eas/EasAutoDiscover.java in the Autodiscover implementation in Exchange ActiveSync in Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-04-01 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application that triggers a spoofed response to a GET request, aka internal bug 26488455.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2415 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Exchange ActiveSync implementation of Android operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Android versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.2, 5.1.x prior to 5.1.1, and 6.x releases before the 2016-04-01 security update. The flaw resides in the Autodiscover functionality located within the exchange/eas/EasAutoDiscover.java file, which handles the automatic configuration of email accounts through the Exchange ActiveSync protocol. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of responses received during the autodiscovery process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that can trigger a spoofed response to a GET request made during the autodiscovery process. When an Android device attempts to automatically configure an Exchange ActiveSync email account, it sends a GET request to a server to retrieve configuration parameters. The vulnerable implementation fails to properly validate the response received from the server, allowing attackers to craft malicious responses that contain sensitive information. This spoofing capability enables attackers to extract authentication credentials, server configuration details, and potentially other confidential data that would normally be protected within the email configuration process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the means to compromise email account access and potentially escalate privileges within corporate environments. Organizations utilizing Exchange ActiveSync for mobile email management face significant risk when their Android devices are running vulnerable versions, as this flaw could enable unauthorized access to corporate email systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may not be properly enforced, as it could allow attackers to bypass standard security controls and gain access to sensitive business communications. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through social engineering and application exploitation.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the widespread use of Android devices in enterprise environments and the critical nature of email communications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against email configuration processes, potentially gaining access to user credentials and corporate email infrastructure details. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the implementation that required substantial code changes to address properly. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android devices and consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect suspicious autodiscovery requests. The remediation process requires updating to Android versions that contain the patched Autodiscover implementation, which addresses the insufficient validation of server responses and strengthens the overall security posture of mobile email configurations.