CVE-2016-3915 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
camera/src/camera_metadata.c in the Camera service 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 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 30591838.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3915 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android Camera service implementation. This security weakness exists in the camera_metadata.c source file and 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 the 2016-10-01 security patch, and 7.0 before the same patch date. The flaw allows malicious applications to exploit the camera service and elevate their privileges to system level access, creating a significant security risk for affected devices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the camera metadata processing functionality. When a crafted application interacts with the Camera service, it can manipulate metadata structures in ways that bypass normal security checks and access controls. This weakness falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege separation mechanisms that should prevent user applications from accessing system-level resources and services.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3915 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to gain complete system control over affected Android devices. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to bypass the standard Android security model where applications operate in isolated sandboxed environments. This privilege escalation capability means that attackers can access sensitive system files, modify device configurations, install malicious applications, and potentially access all user data stored on the device. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Android versions from 4.x through 7.0 indicates a widespread exposure affecting millions of devices globally.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for locally executed privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack vector requires a malicious application to be installed on the target device, which then exploits the camera service to gain elevated privileges. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability could be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users unknowingly install malicious applications from untrusted sources. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific camera metadata that triggers the buffer overflow condition within the camera service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3915 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations and individuals should immediately update their Android devices to versions that contain the patched camera service implementation. System administrators should ensure that all enterprise devices receive the necessary security updates and implement mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies. Additionally, users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain regular security updates for their devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system services and highlights the need for robust privilege separation mechanisms in mobile operating systems. Network security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement appropriate network segmentation to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.