Fortinet Discovers Google Android Mediaserver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Summary

Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs has discovered a remote code execution vulnerability in Google Andriod Mediaserver.
Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on the Linux kernel and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mediaserver is provided as a core part of the operating system with access to video and audio streams. It is often used to render remotely-supplied multimedia content. There are multiple applications that allow it to be reached with remote content, most notably MMS and browser playback of media.

A remote code execution vulnerability has been discovered in Andriod Mediaserver. It could enable an attacker using a specially crafted file to cause memory corruption during media file and data processing.


Solutions

FortiGuard Labs released the following FortiGate IPS signature which covers this specific vulnerability:

Google.Andriod.Mediaserver.Remote.Code.Execution
Released Jun 30, 2016

Users should apply the solution provided by Google.

Additional Information

Google rated this vulnerability as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution within the context of the Mediaserver process. The Mediaserver process has access to audio and video streams, as well as access to privileges that third-party apps could not normally access.

Acknowledgement

This vulnerability was discovered by Kai Lu of Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs.

IPS Subscription

Fortinet customers who subscribe to Fortinet's intrusion prevention (IPS) service should be protected against this vulnerability with the appropriate configuration parameters in place. Fortinet's IPS service is one component of FortiGuard Subscription Services, which also offer comprehensive solutions such as antivirus, Web content filtering and antispam capabilities. These services enable protection against threats on both application and network layers. FortiGuard Services are continuously updated by FortiGuard Labs, which enables Fortinet to deliver a combination of multi-layered security intelligence and true zero-day protection from new and emerging threats. These updates are delivered to all FortiGate, FortiMail and FortiClient products. Fortinet strictly follows responsible disclosure guidelines to ensure optimum protection during a threat's lifecycle.