CVE-2016-0806 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm 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 attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 25344453.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0806 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects multiple Android versions including Android 4.x prior to 4.4.4, Android 5.x prior to 5.1.1 LMY49G, and Android 6.x prior to 2016-02-01, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw resides in the kernel-level implementation of the Wi-Fi driver, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the most privileged level of the operating system. The vulnerability allows malicious applications to exploit a weakness in the driver's handling of Wi-Fi-related operations, enabling them to elevate their privileges from regular application level to kernel level access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver implementation. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit specific conditions within the driver's code execution path, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This type of flaw typically involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper privilege checks that allow unprivileged code to manipulate kernel data structures or execute privileged operations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119 which addresses "Improper Access to Memory Locations" and potentially CWE-20 which covers "Improper Input Validation" in kernel contexts. The attack vector specifically targets the Wi-Fi subsystem through kernel-level interactions, making it particularly insidious as it leverages legitimate system functionality to achieve unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0806 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices. Once exploited, malicious applications can access all device data, modify system configurations, install additional malware, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a fundamental networking component that is active on virtually all Android devices, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking widespread exploitation. The privilege escalation capability allows threat actors to bypass standard Android security controls including application sandboxing, SELinux policies, and other runtime protections. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model by undermining the kernel-level isolation that separates user applications from system services, potentially enabling full device compromise and data exfiltration capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0806 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Users should ensure their devices are updated to Android versions that include fixes for this vulnerability, specifically Android 4.4.4, 5.1.1 LMY49G, and the corresponding 2016-02-01 security updates for Android 6.x. Device manufacturers should prioritize rapid deployment of security patches to affected models, as the vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it critical to address immediately. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous Wi-Fi behavior, enabling application whitelisting policies, and maintaining regular security audits of device configurations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and kernel-level exploitation methods, specifically covering techniques such as "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Kernel Modules and Device Drivers" within the privilege escalation and persistence domains. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.