CVE-2016-2505 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
mpeg2ts/ATSParser.cpp in libstagefright in mediaserver in Android 6.x before 2016-07-01 does not validate a certain section length, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 28333006.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2505 resides within the libstagefright media processing framework of Android 6.x systems, specifically affecting the mpeg2ts/ATSParser.cpp component responsible for parsing Advanced Transport Stream media files. This flaw represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that exists in the mediaserver process, which handles multimedia content processing for the Android operating system. The vulnerability was disclosed in the context of Android security updates released in July 2016, with the affected version range encompassing Android 6.0 and its subsequent patches prior to that date. The issue stems from inadequate input validation within the ATSParser module, which processes MPEG-2 Transport Stream format media files commonly used in broadcast television and digital media applications.
The technical flaw manifests in the failure to properly validate section length parameters within the ATSParser.cpp implementation. When processing maliciously crafted media files, the parser accepts malformed section length values that exceed expected boundaries, leading to memory corruption conditions. This validation gap allows attackers to manipulate the parsing logic by inserting specially constructed media content that triggers buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability operates at the kernel-level media processing layer, where the mediaserver process executes with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous. The attack vector requires remote code execution through a crafted media file, which can be delivered via various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or multimedia content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length parameters, and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mediaserver process, potentially gaining access to sensitive device functionality including camera, microphone, and file system operations. The memory corruption effects can manifest as system crashes, application instability, or more sinisterly, persistent backdoor access. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and earlier versions, making it a significant concern for organizations with legacy Android deployments. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection, specifically targeting the Android media processing stack. Additionally, the issue demonstrates how multimedia processing components often serve as attack surfaces for sophisticated exploitation campaigns, as they frequently handle untrusted input from multiple sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2505 primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released in July 2016, which include fixes for the ATSParser validation logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Android devices receive timely security updates, particularly those running Android 6.0 or earlier versions. Network-level defenses can include media file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms that restrict media processing to trusted sources. Device administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary media playback features, restricting media file downloads, and monitoring for unusual mediaserver process behavior. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in media processing libraries, particularly around input validation and memory management. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of media handling components and consider implementing automated testing for media file parsing logic to identify similar validation gaps before they can be exploited by malicious actors.