CVE-2016-3830 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
codecs/aacdec/SoftAAC2.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 2016-08-01 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang or reboot) via crafted ADTS data, aka internal bug 29153599.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3830 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright library's AAC audio decoding component. This issue resides in the codecs/aacdec/SoftAAC2.cpp file within the mediaserver process, which serves as the core multimedia processing service responsible for handling various audio and video formats on Android devices. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes crafted ADTS (Audio Data Transport Stream) data, a standard format used for transporting audio data in digital audio broadcasting applications. The flaw affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before the specified date, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to exploit the system without requiring local privileges or user interaction, making it a significant security risk for mobile devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the SoftAAC2 audio decoder component. When the mediaserver processes malformed ADTS data, the decoder fails to properly handle the malformed input, leading to unpredictable behavior that can result in system instability. The flaw operates at the level of the multimedia framework's decoding pipeline, where the system attempts to parse and decode audio data without sufficient bounds checking or error handling mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The root cause lies in the insufficient validation of the ADTS frame structure, particularly in how the decoder handles frame length parameters and buffer allocation, which can lead to memory corruption or infinite loop conditions that ultimately cause the device to hang or reboot.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to create persistent denial of service conditions that compromise device availability and user experience. The mediaserver process is a critical system component that handles multimedia playback across various applications, making any compromise of this service potentially devastating to device functionality. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete device unresponsiveness, requiring manual reboot to restore normal operation, and may be particularly dangerous in environments where device availability is critical such as enterprise settings or automotive applications. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition through various means including email attachments, web content, or malicious media files, making it a significant threat vector for mobile device security. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how media processing components can be leveraged as attack vectors for broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches provided by Google and device manufacturers, as the fix involves correcting the input validation logic within the SoftAAC2 decoder component. System administrators and device users should prioritize updating their Android systems to versions that contain the patched libstagefright implementation, particularly targeting the specific Android versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, network-level filtering can help reduce the risk by blocking suspicious media content, though this approach may impact legitimate functionality. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates, as the vulnerability affects multiple Android versions and requires coordinated remediation efforts across different device platforms. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking for ADTS frame parameters and ensuring that buffer allocations are validated before processing, addressing the underlying CWE categories that contribute to this class of vulnerability.