CVE-2016-3880 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in rtsp/ASessionDescription.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, 6.x before 2016-09-01, and 7.0 before 2016-09-01 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang or reboot) via a crafted media file, aka internal bug 25747670.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3880 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Android media processing framework, specifically affecting the libstagefright library component responsible for handling Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) media content. This flaw exists in the ASessionDescription.cpp module which processes media session descriptions and is part of the broader mediaserver application that handles multimedia operations on Android devices. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.x series before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x series before the specified date, and 7.0 before the specified date, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the RTSP session description parsing logic where the application fails to properly bounds-check data structures when processing crafted media files. When a maliciously formatted media file is processed by the mediaserver, the buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of session description parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to trigger device instability. The flaw manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior in the mediaserver process. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation likely involves heap-based memory corruption given the complex nature of media processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. While the primary reported effect is device hang or reboot, the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the mediaserver process, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through crafted media files, making it suitable for exploitation via email attachments, web downloads, or streaming content without requiring user interaction beyond the automatic processing of media files. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the use of malicious files to gain access to systems, and the vulnerability's potential for remote code execution places it within the threat landscape of mobile device exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3880 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches and updates released by Google for affected Android versions. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Android devices, particularly those running versions prior to the specified security fixes. Network-level defenses should include media file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent automatic processing of untrusted media content, while mobile device management solutions should implement strict controls over media file handling. The vulnerability's nature suggests that additional defensive measures such as runtime application protection and memory corruption detection systems could provide additional layers of defense. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual mediaserver behavior or process crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of buffer overflow vulnerabilities, the implementation of modern memory protection techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention would help mitigate the potential impact of similar future vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in multimedia processing components and highlights the need for robust security practices in media handling libraries that process untrusted content.