CVE-2016-3755 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
decoder/ih264d_parse_pslice.c in mediaserver in Android 6.x before 2016-07-01 does not properly select concealment frames, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang or reboot) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 28470138.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3755 resides within the Android mediaserver component, specifically in the ih264d_parse_pslice.c file that handles H.264 video decoding operations. This flaw affects Android 6.x versions prior to the 2016-07-01 security patch release, creating a critical weakness in the system's video processing pipeline that can be exploited remotely through malicious media content. The vulnerability stems from improper frame concealment selection mechanisms during video decoding, which represents a fundamental failure in the decoder's error handling and recovery protocols. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation and error handling as classified by CWE-252, where the system fails to properly validate or handle malformed input data during processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially designed media file that triggers specific conditions within the H.264 decoder's parsing logic. During the processing of P-slice frames, the decoder fails to correctly select appropriate concealment frames that should mask or replace corrupted data during decoding operations. This misselection leads to a cascading failure where the decoder enters an unstable state that eventually results in system-wide hangs or complete device reboots. The flaw specifically impacts the video decoding pipeline's ability to maintain system stability when encountering unexpected or malformed video data, creating a denial of service condition that affects the entire Android operating system's media processing capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to Android devices running version 6.x, as it enables remote attackers to disrupt device functionality without requiring local access or user interaction. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting device availability and user productivity, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management is critical. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious media files could be distributed through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in widespread deployment scenarios. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks and represents a classic example of how media processing vulnerabilities can be leveraged for system compromise.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3755 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google in their July 2016 security updates, which address the frame concealment selection logic in the H.264 decoder. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected Android 6.x devices to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing media file validation and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers, though the primary solution remains the official security update. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper error handling in multimedia processing components and serves as a reminder of the critical nature of codec implementations in maintaining system stability and security. Network administrators should also consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent the download or execution of potentially malicious media files, particularly in environments where device security is paramount.