CVE-2016-2479 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The mm-video-v4l2 vdec component 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 2016-06-01 mishandles a buffer count, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 27532282.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2479 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android media framework, specifically affecting the mm-video-v4l2 vdec component in the mediaserver process. This issue resides in the Android operating system versions prior to the specified security patches, creating a persistent risk for devices running Android 4.x through 6.x releases. The vulnerability stems from improper buffer count handling within the video decoding subsystem, which forms part of the broader Android media stack responsible for processing multimedia content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malicious application that manipulates the buffer count parameter in the video decoding component. This flaw allows an attacker to escalate privileges from a standard application level to a system-level access, specifically achieving Signature or SignatureOrSystem access levels. The buffer count mishandling creates a condition where the system fails to properly validate or constrain the number of buffers allocated for video processing, potentially leading to memory corruption or unauthorized access to privileged system resources. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 category of "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" through the manipulation of system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond installing a malicious application. Once exploited, the attacker can obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, which provides access to system-level APIs and sensitive functionality that would otherwise be restricted to trusted system applications. This access level allows for modification of system components, installation of malicious applications with system privileges, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android devices and versions, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across multiple device generations and manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2479 primarily involve applying the relevant security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, specifically targeting the Android versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators and device users should prioritize updating their Android systems to versions 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, or 2016-06-01 respectively, depending on their current Android version. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing measures and monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure buffer management practices in system-level components and underscores the need for rigorous security testing of multimedia frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unauthorized privilege escalation activities within the media processing subsystem.