CVE-2016-2417 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmedia/IOMX.cpp in mediaserver in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 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 parameter data structure, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory, and consequently bypass an unspecified protection mechanism, via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 26914474.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2417 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media framework that affects multiple versions of the operating system. This issue resides in the mediaserver process and specifically targets the IOMX.cpp component responsible for handling multimedia operations. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization of a parameter data structure, creating a scenario where attackers can exploit uninitialized memory contents to extract sensitive information from the process memory space. This weakness falls under the CWE-457 category of "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and demonstrates how seemingly minor initialization oversights can lead to significant security implications within system-level components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that allow malicious actors to leverage the uninitialized parameter structure to perform memory reads that reveal sensitive data. The disclosed information can include cryptographic keys, access tokens, or other critical system data that would normally be protected by Android's security mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to bypass protection mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to system-level permissions, particularly those related to Signature or SignatureOrSystem access levels. This type of privilege escalation allows attackers to gain elevated permissions that would normally require proper authentication or system-level access, effectively undermining the Android security model's integrity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android devices running the affected versions, as it provides attackers with a means to extract sensitive information without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core media processing framework, which means it can be exploited through various multimedia-related applications or services, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users interact with untrusted media content. The attack surface extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem access allows for broader system compromise and potential lateral movement within the device. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by enabling local privilege escalation and T1005 by facilitating information gathering through memory access.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected Android versions to the patched releases that address the uninitialized parameter initialization issue in the mediaserver component. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring and anomaly detection can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar initialization flaws in other system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous code review processes, particularly for system-level components that handle sensitive data and operate with elevated privileges, ensuring proper initialization of all data structures before use.