CVE-2016-0826 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libcameraservice in mediaserver in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49H, and 6.x before 2016-03-01 does not require use of the ICameraService::dump method for a camera service dump, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application that directly dumps, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 26265403.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0826 resides within the libcameraservice component of Android's mediaserver process, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-03-01. This issue stems from the camera service's improper implementation of access controls for its dump functionality, which should normally require authentication through the ICameraService::dump method interface. The flaw allows malicious applications to bypass normal security checks and directly access camera service dump operations, creating an unauthorized privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by attackers to gain elevated system permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a direct violation of Android's security model where the camera service fails to enforce proper authentication mechanisms for its debugging and diagnostic interfaces. When an application attempts to dump camera service information, the system should verify that the requesting process has appropriate privileges before granting access to sensitive system information. However, due to the flaw in libcameraservice, attackers can directly invoke these dump operations without proper authorization, effectively circumventing the established security boundaries. This weakness aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in the Android security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to obtain Signature or SignatureOrSystem level access through seemingly benign applications. This privilege level provides extensive control over the Android system, including the ability to install applications with system-level permissions, access protected system resources, and potentially escalate to full system compromise. The vulnerability can be exploited through a crafted application that directly dumps camera service information, which then allows the attacker to extract system-level information or manipulate camera service behavior to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because camera services are often accessed by applications with elevated permissions, making this a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0826 should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Android versions, with particular emphasis on updating the mediaserver component and ensuring proper implementation of the ICameraService::dump method authentication requirements. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict access to camera service interfaces and monitor for unusual dump operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their Android environments to identify any applications that might be exploiting this vulnerability or similar privilege escalation flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of system-level interfaces to gain elevated privileges. Regular security updates and proper access control implementations are essential to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerability, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Android's permission model that can be leveraged for significant system compromise.