CVE-2016-0820 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The MediaTek Wi-Fi kernel driver in Android 6.0.1 before 2016-03-01 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 26267358.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0820 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the MediaTek Wi-Fi kernel driver component of Android 6.0.1 operating systems. This security weakness specifically affects devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets and was discovered through internal bug tracking systems under the identifier 26267358. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper privilege handling within the kernel-level Wi-Fi driver implementation, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to elevate their system privileges from standard application level to kernel level access. The flaw exists in the driver's handling of certain Wi-Fi related operations and memory management functions, allowing malicious applications to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that specifically targets the MediaTek Wi-Fi kernel driver interface. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that exploit buffer overflow conditions or improper memory access patterns within the driver's kernel space execution environment. This allows the malicious application to manipulate kernel data structures, bypass security controls, and ultimately gain root access to the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where standard Android security mechanisms such as SELinux policies and application sandboxing provide limited protection. The flaw falls under CWE-119 which describes weaknesses in memory management, specifically addressing insufficient protection of memory accesses and improper handling of buffer operations that can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete device compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level access through this vulnerability, they can bypass all Android security mechanisms, modify system files, install persistent backdoors, monitor network traffic, and access sensitive user data including credentials, personal information, and encrypted communications. The attack surface is particularly wide since any application installed on the device can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it extremely difficult to prevent or detect. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Android devices are commonly used for business operations, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over corporate devices and potentially access sensitive business data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0820 require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers and Google to address the kernel driver implementation flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Android 6.0.1 devices to versions released after March 2016, which contain the necessary security patches for the MediaTek Wi-Fi driver. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious application behavior and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers can use the elevated privileges to execute commands and scripts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could potentially exploit this vulnerability, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar kernel-level flaws in mobile operating systems.