CVE-2016-2481 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The mm-video-v4l2 venc 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 27532497.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2481 resides within the mm-video-v4l2 venc component of Android's mediaserver process, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting multiple 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 specified date. This issue manifests through improper buffer count handling within the video encoding subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious applications to elevate their privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to obtain either Signature or SignatureOrSystem access levels, which provide extensive capabilities to manipulate system components and access protected resources. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer management error that allows for memory corruption and subsequent privilege escalation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of buffer counts within the video encoding component of the media server. When processing video encoding requests, the system fails to properly validate or limit the number of buffers being allocated or managed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures. This buffer count mishandling allows for potential overflow conditions or unauthorized memory access patterns that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of buffer counts, and represents a specific instance of insufficient input validation that can lead to privilege escalation. The exploitation mechanism leverages the inherent trust placed in legitimate applications by the system's security model, allowing a crafted malicious application to bypass normal access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass significant security implications for Android devices running the affected versions. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can gain access to system-level resources that would normally be restricted to system applications or services with signature-level permissions. This access enables potential compromise of device integrity, data exfiltration, and installation of persistent malware. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed on the target device, making it a remote attack vector that could be delivered through various attack surfaces including app stores, malicious downloads, or social engineering campaigns. The affected mediaserver component operates with high privileges to handle multimedia processing, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking system-level access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2481 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations and users should prioritize installing the security patches released for Android versions 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, and the corresponding 6.x releases that addressed this buffer count handling issue. The patch implementation corrects the buffer validation logic within the mm-video-v4l2 venc component, preventing the exploitation scenario that leads to privilege escalation. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict installation of untrusted applications, monitoring for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining current security configurations within the device management policies. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it in the Privilege Escalation tactic category, specifically targeting the use of vulnerabilities in system services to gain elevated access rights. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other media processing components that may present analogous attack surfaces.