CVE-2016-2450 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
codecs/on2/enc/SoftVPXEncoder.cpp in libstagefright 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 2016-05-01 does not validate OMX buffer sizes, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 27569635.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2450 resides within the libstagefright media framework of Android operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to the mentioned security patches. This flaw exists in the SoftVPXEncoder component located at codecs/on2/enc/SoftVPXEncoder.cpp, which forms part of the mediaserver process responsible for handling multimedia codecs and encoding operations. The vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation issue that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code with elevated system privileges, potentially compromising the entire device security posture. The affected Android versions include 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 the 2016-05-01 security update, indicating a widespread impact across multiple Android release branches.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the OMX buffer size handling mechanism. The SoftVPXEncoder component fails to properly validate buffer sizes provided by external applications during the encoding process, creating a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through crafted malicious input. This validation failure allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mediaserver process, which typically operates with system-level access. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem access levels, which provide extensive privileges including the ability to install applications with system-level permissions and access sensitive system resources. This represents a classic buffer overflow exploit scenario where improper bounds checking leads to privilege escalation, aligning with CWE-121 buffer overflow conditions and CWE-20 improper input validation patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2450 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise entire Android devices through remote code execution. The mediaserver process serves as a critical system component that handles multimedia processing for various applications, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access. Once exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to install malicious applications with system-level privileges, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a crafted application that triggers the vulnerable code path, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through seemingly legitimate applications or malicious media files. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, specifically targeting Android system services and components that operate with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2450 focus primarily on applying the relevant Android security patches that address the buffer validation issues in the libstagefright framework. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected Android versions to the patched releases, particularly targeting the specific Android versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing measures and restricting media processing capabilities can help reduce the attack surface. Network-level defenses should include monitoring for suspicious media file handling and implementing strict application permission controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in system-level components, emphasizing that buffer overflow protections should be implemented at multiple layers of the software stack. Organizations should also conduct security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components within their Android-based systems and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect exploitation attempts.