CVE-2016-2459 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
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 initialize certain data structures, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, related to IGraphicBufferConsumer.cpp and IGraphicBufferProducer.cpp, aka internal bug 27556038.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2459 affects the mediaserver component in various Android versions, specifically targeting 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 patch. This issue resides within the graphics buffer management system and stems from improper initialization of critical data structures during the processing of graphic buffer operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-665 as improper initialization of a resource, which creates a potential information disclosure risk.
The technical flaw manifests in the IGraphicBufferConsumer.cpp and IGraphicBufferProducer.cpp interfaces that handle graphic buffer operations within the Android media framework. When these components fail to properly initialize certain data structures, attackers can exploit this weakness through a crafted application to read uninitialized memory contents. This memory leakage can potentially expose sensitive information such as kernel memory addresses, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data that should remain protected within the system's memory space. The vulnerability represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access that violates fundamental security principles of memory management and information hiding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain access to sensitive information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker could potentially use this information to bypass security mechanisms, perform advanced exploitation techniques, or conduct targeted attacks against the device. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android versions and devices, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across multiple platforms and generations of Android devices. The information disclosure could enable attackers to understand the memory layout of the system, potentially aiding in the development of more sophisticated attacks such as heap spraying or other memory corruption exploits.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the relevant security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should ensure that all affected Android devices are updated to versions that contain the fix for this issue, particularly focusing on the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and application sandboxing techniques can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as it represents an information disclosure that could lead to more serious security compromises. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of this vulnerability in deployed systems and ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar information disclosure threats.