CVE-2016-3879 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
arm-wt-22k/lib_src/eas_mdls.c 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 2016-09-01 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference, and device hang or reboot) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 29770686.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3879 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the Android mediaserver component, specifically in the arm-wt-22k/lib_src/eas_mdls.c module. This issue 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, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability manifests when the mediaserver processes crafted media files, which can be delivered through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, web downloads, or compromised applications. This flaw falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, a common class of software vulnerabilities that occur when a program attempts to access a memory location referenced by a null pointer. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it involves the mediaserver process which handles multimedia content processing and is frequently accessed by user applications, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially causing complete device hang or reboot conditions, which severely compromises the availability and stability of affected Android devices. When a malicious media file triggers the NULL pointer dereference, the mediaserver process crashes and subsequently restarts, leading to system instability and potential data loss. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" and specifically targets system resource exhaustion or process termination to disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges or user interaction beyond the simple act of opening or processing the malicious media file, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically by media processing applications or through social engineering attacks. The affected component's role in handling multimedia content means that any application attempting to process audio or video files could potentially trigger this vulnerability, including media players, messaging applications, and web browsers that support multimedia content rendering.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Google through security updates for affected Android versions. Organizations and users should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions that include the fix for internal bug 29770686, which specifically addresses the NULL pointer dereference in the eas_mdls.c module. Network-level defenses should include media file filtering to prevent potentially malicious media content from reaching end-user devices, particularly in enterprise environments where device management and security policies can be enforced. The vulnerability's nature as a software flaw rather than a network-based attack means that traditional network firewalls or intrusion detection systems may not prevent exploitation, requiring endpoint-based security measures and application whitelisting to reduce risk. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening media files from untrusted sources, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics that trick users into processing malicious content. System administrators should implement robust monitoring for mediaserver process crashes or restarts that could indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security fixes across all managed devices.