CVE-2016-2460 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 27555981.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2460 affects the mediaserver component in various Android versions including 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 release. This issue resides within the Android framework's media subsystem and specifically involves the IGraphicBufferConsumer.cpp and IGraphicBufferProducer.cpp interfaces that handle graphic buffer management for multimedia operations. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization of critical data structures within the mediaserver process, creating a potential information disclosure vector that could be exploited by malicious applications.
The technical flaw manifests when the mediaserver fails to properly initialize certain internal data structures that are essential for managing graphic buffers used in multimedia processing. This uninitialized memory state can contain sensitive data from previous operations or system memory contents that should not be accessible to user applications. Attackers can craft malicious applications that leverage this uninitialized data structure to perform memory reads that expose confidential information such as cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other sensitive data that may have been previously stored in the uninitialized memory regions. This vulnerability operates at the system level within the Android framework and represents a classic information disclosure weakness that can be classified under CWE-457 as "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and potentially CWE-248 as "Uncaught Exception."
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2460 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited across multiple Android versions simultaneously. The vulnerability affects the core media processing capabilities of the Android operating system and could potentially allow attackers to gather sensitive information that might be used for further exploitation attempts. The attack vector requires a malicious application to be installed on the target device, making this a user-initiated attack scenario where social engineering or application compromise could lead to exploitation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the mediaserver process which is a critical system component that handles multimedia operations for numerous applications, potentially exposing sensitive data from various system functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2460 primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates. Users should ensure their devices are updated to Android 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, or the corresponding 2016-05-01 security patch releases that contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all Android devices within their organization receive timely security updates. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for suspicious activities related to media processing components, as this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain. The fix typically involves proper initialization of the affected data structures within the mediaserver component and ensures that memory is properly allocated and cleared before use, preventing information leakage through uninitialized memory regions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and could be used in conjunction with other techniques to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within affected systems.