CVE-2016-2418 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmedia/IOMX.cpp in mediaserver in Android 6.x before 2016-04-01 does not initialize certain metadata buffer pointers, 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 26324358.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2418 resides within the Android media subsystem, specifically in the mediaserver process that handles multimedia operations. This flaw affects Android 6.x versions prior to the 2016-04-01 security patch release and represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the system's security model. The issue is rooted in the IOMX.cpp file which manages OpenMAX IL (OMX) components for media processing, where certain metadata buffer pointers fail to undergo proper initialization before being utilized in memory operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the mediaserver process processes multimedia data through OMX interfaces without properly initializing memory buffer pointers that contain metadata information. This uninitialized memory state creates a condition where sensitive data from adjacent memory locations may be inadvertently exposed to unauthorized processes or attackers who can manipulate the media processing pipeline. The vulnerability allows attackers to craft specific media inputs that trigger the uninitialized buffer access, enabling them to read process memory contents that should remain protected. This memory disclosure can potentially expose cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other sensitive system information that resides in memory regions adjacent to the uninitialized buffers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to bypass unspecified protection mechanisms within the Android security framework. The demonstration of obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access privileges indicates that the vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges and gain elevated permissions within the Android system. This capability allows attackers to potentially access applications and services that require these high-privilege permissions, effectively undermining the application sandboxing and permission model that forms the foundation of Android's security architecture. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted media files or streaming inputs that trigger the vulnerable code path during media processing operations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which represents a fundamental programming error that can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through information disclosure, where adversaries leverage memory corruption or initialization flaws to gain elevated system access. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign media processing functionality can serve as a vector for sophisticated attacks that bypass multiple layers of system security. Organizations should recognize that this vulnerability represents a critical risk to Android devices, particularly those running vulnerable versions of the operating system, as it enables attackers to obtain system-level privileges through carefully crafted media inputs that exploit the uninitialized memory access pattern in the mediaserver process.
The recommended mitigations include applying the Android security patches released in April 2016, which properly initialize the metadata buffer pointers in the IOMX.cpp implementation. System administrators should ensure that all Android devices are updated to versions that contain the fix, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in affected releases. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring to detect suspicious media file processing activities and restricting media input sources can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts.