Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Android OS Could Allow for Remote Code Execution

ITS Advisory Number:

2016-037

Date(s) Issued:

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Subject:

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Android OS Could Allow for Remote Code Execution

Overview:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Android operating system (OS), the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. Google Android is an operating system developed by for mobile devices. These vulnerabilities could be exploited through multiple methods including email, web browsing and MMS when processing media files. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in remote code execution in the context of the application, an attacker gaining elevated privileges, blocking access to a Bluetooth device, or bypassing security restrictions.

Systems Affected:

Android OS builds prior to LMY49H and versions prior to 6.0 without Security Patch Level of March 1st, 2016

RISK

GOVERNMENT

Large and medium government entities:

High

Small government entities:

High

BUSINESS

Large and medium business entities:

High

Small business entities:

High

Home Users:

High

Description:

Google's Android OS is prone to multiple vulnerabilities, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. The vulnerabilities are as follows:

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities in the 'Mediaserver' service when it processes a specially crafted media file. (CVE-2016-0815, CVE-2016-0816)
A remote code execution vulnerability in the 'libvpx' service when it processes a specially crafted media file. (CVE-2016-1621)
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in 'Conscrypt' that could allow for a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the kernel. (CVE-2016-0818)
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the 'Kernel Keyring Component' component that could allow for a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the device root context. (CVE-2016-0728)
A mitigation bypass vulnerability in the kernel that could allow for a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the kernel. (CVE-2016-0821)
An information disclosure vulnerability in the kernel that could allow for a bypass of security measures in place to increase the difficulty of attackers exploiting the platform. (CVE-2016-0823)
An information disclosure vulnerability in 'libstagefright' that could allow for a bypass of security measures in place to increase the difficulty of attackers exploiting the platform. (CVE-2016-0824)
Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities in 'Mediaserver' that could allow for a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the kernel. (CVE-2016-0826, CVE-2016-0827)
Multiple information disclosure vulnerabilities in 'Mediaserver' that could allow for a bypass of security measures in place to increase the difficulty of attackers exploiting the platform. (CVE-2016-0828, CVE-2016-0829)
A remote denial of service vulnerability in the 'Bluetooth' component could allow a proximal attacker to block access to an affected device. (CVE-2016-0830)
An information disclosure vulnerability in the 'Telephony' component that could allow an application to access sensitive information. (CVE-2016-0831)
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the 'Setup Wizard' could enable an attacker who had physical access to the device to gain access to device settings and perform a manual device reset. (CVE-2016-0832)

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in remote code execution in the context of the application, an attacker gaining elevated privileges, blocking access to a Bluetooth device, or bypassing security restrictions.

Actions:

Apply appropriate updates provided by Google Android or mobile carriers to vulnerable systems, immediately after appropriate testing.
Remind users to download apps only from trusted vendors in the Play Store.
Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.

References:

Google:

http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-03-01.html

CVE:

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0815

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0816

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-1621

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0818

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0728

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0821

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0823

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-0824