CVE-2016-6699 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in libstagefright in Mediaserver in Android 7.0 before 2016-11-01 could enable an attacker using a specially crafted file to cause memory corruption during media file and data processing. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution within the context of the Mediaserver process. Android ID: A-31373622.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6699 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the libstagefright library component of Android 7.0 systems. This vulnerability exists within the Mediaserver process which handles multimedia file processing and data interpretation across the Android operating system. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing and processing of media files, creating a condition where an attacker can craft malicious media content that triggers memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable system. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it allowed remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the Mediaserver process, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that protect the system from unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of media file structures within the stagefright framework, which is responsible for decoding various multimedia formats including mp4, 3gp, and other container formats. The flaw occurs when the system processes malformed or specially crafted media files that contain buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption patterns. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten beyond intended boundaries. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through various media file formats without requiring user interaction, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6699 extends far beyond simple system compromise, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the Android ecosystem. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote code execution within the Mediaserver process context, which typically operates with high system privileges and can access sensitive system resources. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform actions such as installing malicious applications, accessing user data, modifying system configurations, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's critical rating reflects its potential for widespread exploitation since it affects the core media processing capabilities of Android 7.0 systems and can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious media content delivered through network services. The Android ID A-31373622 specifically indicates that this vulnerability affected a broad range of Android devices and applications that rely on the stagefright media framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6699 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures to reduce exposure risk. The primary remediation involves applying the security patches released by Google in their November 2016 security update, which addressed the memory corruption issues within the stagefright library. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent potentially malicious media files from reaching user devices, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted media content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia processing components and highlights the need for robust input validation and memory management within system libraries. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system processes, emphasizing the critical need for proper system hardening and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of such foundational vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems.