CVE-2016-2499 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
AudioSource.cpp in libstagefright 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 does not initialize certain data, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27855172.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2499 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright library component that handles multimedia content processing in the mediaserver daemon. This issue manifests in Android versions 4.x prior to 4.4.4, 5.0.x prior to 5.0.2, 5.1.x prior to 5.1.1, and 6.x releases before the June 1, 2016 security update. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization of memory structures within the AudioSource.cpp file, creating a pathway for malicious applications to access sensitive data that should remain protected.
The technical flaw operates through uninitialized memory access patterns where the libstagefright library fails to properly initialize certain data structures before utilizing them in multimedia processing operations. This initialization gap allows attackers to craft malicious applications that can leverage the uninitialized memory contents to extract sensitive information from the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the mediaserver process which runs with elevated privileges and handles multimedia file processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially expose system-level information including memory contents, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data that resides in the uninitialized memory regions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform information disclosure attacks without requiring elevated privileges or specific exploitation conditions. The flaw exists within the core media processing pipeline, meaning that any application with access to media processing capabilities could potentially exploit this vulnerability. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked memory contents might include sensitive cryptographic material, system configuration data, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-457: Use of uninitialized variable, which is classified as a fundamental programming error that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security implications.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad given that media processing is a common functionality across Android applications and the mediaserver process typically runs with system-level privileges. Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can potentially exploit this to gain access to sensitive information that could then be used for privilege escalation or further reconnaissance. The vulnerability also relates to T1003 for credential access, as the leaked information might include authentication tokens or cryptographic keys that could compromise system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2499 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google for the affected Android versions, which include proper initialization of the affected data structures within the libstagefright library. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected Android devices and systems, particularly those handling sensitive data or operating in high-risk environments. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual media processing activities and employing application sandboxing techniques can help reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and regularly audit media processing permissions granted to applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory initialization practices in security-critical components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of multimedia processing frameworks.