CVE-2016-6712 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote denial of service vulnerability in libvpx 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 2016-11-01 could enable an attacker to use a specially crafted file to cause a device hang or reboot. This issue is rated as High due to the possibility of remote denial of service. Android ID: A-30593752.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6712 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the libvpx library component of Android's Mediaserver service. 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. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of specially crafted media files that can trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion within the video decoding pipeline. The libvpx library serves as a foundational component for VP8 and VP9 video codec processing, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise device stability through media file manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Mediaserver process receives and processes a malformed video file that contains maliciously constructed data within the VPX container format. This flaw manifests as a buffer over-read condition or improper memory management during video frame decoding operations, causing the system to enter an unstable state that results in device hang or unexpected reboot. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the Android media framework, specifically targeting the libvpx library's video decoding routines that are responsible for processing multimedia content in the Android operating system. This type of flaw typically maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also involve CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can occur during memory management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device disruption as it can be leveraged for remote attacks without requiring user interaction or device compromise. An attacker can craft malicious video files that, when processed by the vulnerable Android system, will trigger the denial of service condition. This creates a significant risk for users who may encounter such files through email attachments, web downloads, or media sharing platforms. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects the potential for widespread disruption across affected Android versions, particularly given the prevalence of these operating system versions in the mobile ecosystem. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1059.007, representing script execution through media file processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6712 primarily involve applying the relevant Android security patches that address the memory handling issues within the libvpx library. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize the deployment of updated system images that contain fixed versions of the Mediaserver component and associated libvpx libraries. Users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from their manufacturers, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until proper patches are installed. Network administrators and security teams should consider implementing media file filtering mechanisms that can detect and block suspicious video content, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia processing components, reinforcing the need for robust security practices in system-level libraries that handle untrusted user data. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual system behavior patterns indicative of denial of service conditions, as the affected systems may exhibit specific error patterns before complete system failure occurs.