CVE-2016-3913 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
media/libmediaplayerservice/MediaPlayerService.cpp 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 2016-10-01, and 7.0 before 2016-10-01 does not validate a certain static_cast operation, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 30204103.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3913 resides within the media library of Android's mediaserver process, specifically in the MediaPlayerService.cpp file. This 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, 6.x before 2016-10-01, and 7.0 before 2016-10-01, representing a significant attack surface across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of a static_cast operation, which is a type conversion mechanism that can bypass normal type checking in C++ programming. This particular flaw allows an attacker with a crafted application to escalate privileges, potentially gaining system-level access to the device.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions that occur when a program attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. The static_cast operation in question likely involves a pointer or object conversion that should be validated but isn't properly checked. When an attacker can manipulate the input to this conversion, they can potentially control memory layout or object behavior in ways that lead to privilege escalation. The mediaserver process runs with elevated privileges to handle media processing tasks, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability since successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with system-level permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3913 is severe and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the use of privilege escalation techniques. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain root access on affected devices, enabling them to install malicious applications, access all user data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's presence in mediaserver is particularly concerning because this service handles multimedia processing and often runs with high privileges to access hardware resources and system components. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or perform more sophisticated attacks against the device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Android versions, as the fix was released in security updates for each affected version. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of these patches to protect against exploitation. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious behavior in the mediaserver process can provide defense-in-depth. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper type validation in C++ applications, particularly when dealing with system-level processes that handle user input. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application protection measures and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough input validation and type safety checks in systems handling multimedia processing and other privileged operations, as these components often represent high-value targets for attackers seeking system-level compromise.