CVE-2016-0801 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Broadcom Wi-Fi driver in the kernel in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49G, and 6.x before 2016-02-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted wireless control message packets, aka internal bug 25662029.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0801 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49G, and 6.x before 2016-02-01, creating a widespread attack surface that spans several major Android releases. The flaw manifests in the kernel-level Wi-Fi driver implementation, specifically in how it processes wireless control message packets, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core system level where privilege escalation and system compromise become possible.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver's packet processing routines. Attackers can craft specially designed wireless control message packets that, when processed by the vulnerable driver, trigger memory corruption conditions. These conditions can manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free errors, or other memory management flaws that allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. This type of flaw maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are common manifestations of memory corruption vulnerabilities in kernel drivers.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0801 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be exploited without user interaction. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks are accessible to untrusted parties, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots, enterprise networks, or any location where attackers can inject malicious packets into the wireless communication channel. The attack vector requires only that an attacker be within range of the vulnerable device's Wi-Fi signal, making it a significant threat in both personal and enterprise contexts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when exploited successfully. Additionally, the memory corruption nature of this vulnerability can lead to system instability, crashes, and potential data loss, while also providing attackers with a persistent foothold for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0801 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the underlying memory corruption issues in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver implementation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Android security updates, particularly those released after February 2016, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers and carriers should ensure comprehensive testing of security patches before deployment to prevent service disruptions. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting wireless access to critical systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how kernel-level vulnerabilities in device drivers can create severe security risks that affect large user populations simultaneously.