CVE-2016-0802 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 25306181.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0802 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49G, and 6.x before the 2016-02-01 security update, making it a widespread concern across numerous device implementations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the kernel-level Wi-Fi driver, specifically when processing wireless control message packets that are transmitted over the air. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious wireless control messages that, when processed by the affected Android devices, can trigger unpredictable memory corruption patterns. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates entirely over the wireless medium without requiring any local access or user interaction, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes devices to potential compromise through wireless control message packets that can be transmitted by any nearby attacker within range of the affected device's Wi-Fi radio.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel-level Broadcom Wi-Fi driver failing to properly validate and sanitize incoming wireless control messages before processing them in memory. When the driver receives crafted packets that exceed expected boundaries or contain malformed data structures, the memory corruption occurs during the parsing and handling of these control messages. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including stack overflows, heap corruption, or pointer dereference errors that can ultimately lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the kernel level within the Android operating system, meaning successful exploitation can provide attackers with elevated privileges and complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, which involves the exploitation of remote services and kernel-level vulnerabilities to gain system access. The attack surface is particularly broad as any device running the affected Android versions and utilizing the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver is potentially vulnerable, affecting millions of devices across various manufacturers including Samsung, Google, HTC, and others that shipped with these vulnerable configurations.
The operational implications of CVE-2016-0802 extend beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise and data theft capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially installing persistent backdoors, exfiltrating sensitive data, or modifying system files to maintain long-term access. The memory corruption can also result in system instability and denial of service conditions that disrupt normal device operation, affecting both consumer and enterprise devices. Organizations using affected Android devices in enterprise environments face particular risk as attackers could potentially compromise corporate networks through these vulnerable endpoints. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to devices, making it particularly dangerous for mobile environments where devices are frequently exposed to untrusted wireless networks. Security researchers have noted that this type of kernel-level memory corruption vulnerability is often difficult to detect through standard network monitoring tools since the malicious packets appear as legitimate wireless control messages. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of affected Android versions, with manufacturers needing to provide security updates to devices running vulnerable software versions. Device users should ensure their systems are updated to the latest security patches as soon as possible, particularly those running Android versions prior to 4.4.4, 5.1.1 LMY49G, or 2016-02-01 for Android 6.x. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in kernel-level drivers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers before deployment. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous wireless control message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though such detection remains challenging due to the legitimate nature of the wireless protocols involved.