CVE-2016-3828 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
decoder/ih264d_api.c in mediaserver in Android 6.x before 2016-08-01 mishandles invalid PPS and SPS NAL units, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang or reboot) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 28835995.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3828 resides within the Android mediaserver component, specifically in the decoder/ih264d_api.c file responsible for handling H.264 video decoding operations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects Android 6.x versions prior to the 2016-08-01 security patch release, creating a significant risk for device stability and availability. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes invalid Picture Parameter Set (PPS) and Sequence Parameter Set (SPS) Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) units, which are fundamental components of the H.264 video codec standard used extensively in multimedia applications and streaming services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the video decoding pipeline. When the mediaserver receives a crafted media file containing malformed PPS or SPS NAL units, the decoder fails to properly sanitize these inputs before processing them. This improper handling leads to a state where the decoding process becomes unstable, causing the system to either freeze or initiate an automatic reboot sequence. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the media framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate media playback operations without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction beyond opening a malicious file. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, representing an input validation weakness that allows for improper handling of out-of-bounds data, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-248, indicating an exception handling issue where the system fails to properly manage unexpected input conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can compromise the overall stability and reliability of Android devices. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed media files that contain malformed H.264 parameter sets, enabling them to remotely trigger device hangs or reboots without requiring physical access or user consent. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile devices that frequently process multimedia content from untrusted sources such as email attachments, web downloads, or social media platforms. The attack surface is broad since H.264 is widely used across various applications and services, including streaming platforms, messaging apps, and multimedia players. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates the potential for persistent system instability that could be exploited in combination with other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3828 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released in the 2016-08-01 update cycle, which specifically address the improper handling of invalid NAL units in the H.264 decoder. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches to protect against exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network-based filtering to restrict media file downloads from untrusted sources, along with regular security assessments of media processing applications, can help reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing systems and demonstrates the critical need for proper error handling in codec implementations. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual reboot patterns or system hangs that could indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of the broader attack landscape for similar media processing vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the Android media framework.