CVE-2016-2508 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmediaplayerservice/nuplayer/GenericSource.cpp 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 2016-07-01 does not validate certain track data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 28799341.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2508 resides within the media library of Android operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to their respective security patches released in 2016. This flaw exists in the GenericSource.cpp component of the mediaserver process, which handles media file processing and playback functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of track data during media file parsing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system through specially crafted media files. The affected versions include Android 4.x before 4.4.4, Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, Android 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and Android 6.x before the 2016-07-01 security update, representing a broad range of mobile devices that were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the mediaserver process attempts to parse malformed track data within media files without proper validation mechanisms. This lack of input sanitization creates memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The flaw operates at the level of media processing within the Android framework, where the GenericSource.cpp module fails to properly validate the structure and content of media tracks before attempting to process them. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and more specifically relates to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the system-level mediaserver process, which runs with elevated privileges and has access to core system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2508 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering malicious media files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, without requiring user interaction beyond opening the media content. The memory corruption resulting from improper track data handling can lead to crashes, system instability, or more critically, provide attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious code through media processing and file handling mechanisms. The potential for remote code execution makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting mobile devices, as it can be exploited without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond media consumption.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android versions to mitigate this vulnerability, as the security patches released in July 2016 addressed the track data validation issues within the GenericSource.cpp module. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through malicious media file delivery, while also considering mobile device management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in system-level processes and demonstrates how media processing components can become attack surfaces for privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing and establishing incident response procedures for detecting and responding to exploitation attempts targeting media server components. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in media playback functionality.