CVE-2016-2454 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm hardware video codec in Android before 2016-05-01 on Nexus 5 devices allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) via a crafted file, aka internal bug 26221024.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2454 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Qualcomm hardware video codec implementation on Android devices, specifically affecting Nexus 5 models prior to the 2016-05-01 security update. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of hardware and software security domains, where the proprietary Qualcomm video codec hardware component fails to properly validate input data during video processing operations. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted video file is processed by the hardware codec, triggering an unexpected system reboot that effectively denies legitimate users access to their device functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the hardware codec driver layer, which operates as a bridge between the Android operating system and the Qualcomm hardware acceleration components. When the system attempts to decode a specially crafted video file, the codec hardware encounters malformed data structures that cause it to crash or enter an unstable state, ultimately resulting in a system reboot. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-248, Uncaught Exception, as the codec fails to properly handle malformed input and does not implement adequate exception handling mechanisms to prevent system-level failures. The vulnerability operates at a low system level, leveraging the hardware acceleration capabilities that are typically considered trusted components within the Android security model.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users of affected Nexus 5 devices, as it allows remote attackers to disrupt device functionality without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. The exploit can be delivered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media files shared through social media platforms, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The automatic reboot behavior effectively creates a persistent denial of service condition that can be repeated indefinitely, potentially rendering the device unusable for extended periods. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, Network Denial of Service, as it enables remote attackers to cause system-level disruptions through network-delivered malicious content.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-2454 primarily involves applying the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm as part of the Android security bulletin for May 2016. These patches address the input validation issues within the hardware codec driver and implement proper error handling mechanisms to prevent system crashes. Users should ensure their devices receive the latest security updates from Google, as the vulnerability affects the underlying Android framework rather than being a device-specific issue. Additionally, organizations deploying affected devices should consider implementing network-based controls to restrict access to potentially malicious media files and maintain awareness of the vulnerability through security advisories from the National Vulnerability Database and other security vendors. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in hardware-accelerated components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of trusted system components that operate at the intersection of software and hardware domains.