CVE-2016-0830 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
btif_config.c in Bluetooth in Android 6.x before 2016-03-01 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and persistent daemon crash) by triggering a large number of configuration entries, and consequently exceeding the maximum size of a configuration file, aka internal bug 26071376.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0830 resides within the Bluetooth implementation of Android 6.x operating systems, specifically in the btif_config.c component that manages Bluetooth configuration files. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the system processes an excessive number of configuration entries, leading to memory corruption and daemon instability. The vulnerability was particularly concerning as it affected devices running Android 6.0 and earlier versions, with the patch released on March 1, 2016, addressing the issue through enhanced input validation and memory management controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can trigger a large volume of Bluetooth configuration entries that exceed the predefined maximum size limits of the configuration file structure. This condition causes the Bluetooth daemon to crash repeatedly due to memory corruption, resulting in a persistent denial of service that affects all Bluetooth functionality on the device. The flaw operates at the system level where the btif_config.c module fails to properly validate the size and number of configuration entries before processing them, creating a scenario where memory allocation exceeds safe boundaries and leads to unpredictable behavior. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to create persistent system instability that affects user experience and device functionality. When the Bluetooth daemon crashes repeatedly, users cannot establish Bluetooth connections, pair devices, or utilize any Bluetooth-dependent features, effectively rendering the wireless communication capabilities unusable. The persistent nature of the crashes means that even after a device reboot, the vulnerability can be triggered again through the same method, creating a continuous denial of service condition that requires system-level patches to resolve. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which describes disruption of services through resource exhaustion and memory corruption attacks that affect system availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0830 primarily involve applying the security patch released by Google as part of their regular Android security updates, which includes enhanced validation of configuration file sizes and improved memory management routines within the Bluetooth stack. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected Android 6.x devices to versions released after March 1, 2016, to ensure the vulnerability is properly addressed. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual Bluetooth configuration file access patterns and establishing secure configuration management practices that limit the number of entries that can be processed simultaneously. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in system-level components and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration management flaws can result in significant availability impacts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all Android devices within their environment, particularly those running older versions of the operating system that may be more susceptible to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.