Google Android up to 4.4.3/5.0.1/5.1.0/6.x Mediaserver mp3dec/SoftMP3.cpp input validation

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Google Android up to 4.4.3/5.0.1/5.1.0/6.x. This affects an unknown function of the file mp3dec/SoftMP3.cpp of the component Mediaserver. This manipulation causes input validation. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2016-2486. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Google Android up to 4.4.3/5.0.1/5.1.0/6.x (Smartphone Operating System). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file mp3dec/SoftMP3.cpp of the component Mediaserver. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

mp3dec/SoftMP3.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, and 6.x before 2016-06-01 does not validate the relationship between allocated memory and the frame size, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 27793371.

The weakness was published 06/13/2016 as 27793371 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared at android.googlesource.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2016-2486 since 02/18/2016. An attack has to be approached locally. The successful exploitation needs a single authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/13/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 264227 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2016-2486), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1 or 6.x 2016-06-01 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (264227). Similar entries are available at VDB-87840, VDB-87841, VDB-87842 and VDB-87843. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Smartphone Operating System

Vendor

• Google

Name

• Android

Version

• 1.0
• 1.1
• 1.5
• 1.6
• 2.0
• 2.0.1
• 2.1
• 2.2
• 2.2.1
• 2.2.2
• 2.2.3
• 2.3
• 2.3.1
• 2.3.2
• 2.3.3
• 2.3.4
• 2.3.5
• 2.3.6
• 2.3.7
• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 3.2.1
• 3.2.2
• 3.2.3
• 3.2.4
• 3.2.5
• 3.2.6
• 4.0
• 4.0.1
• 4.0.2
• 4.0.3
• 4.0.4
• 4.1
• 4.1.1
• 4.1.2
• 4.2
• 4.2.1
• 4.2.2
• 4.3
• 4.3.1
• 4.4
• 4.4.1
• 4.4.2
• 4.4.3
• 4.4.4
• 5.0
• 5.0.1
• 5.1.0
• 6.x

License

• free

Website

• Vendor: https://www.google.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion