CVE-2016-0843 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm ARM processor performance-event manager in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-04-01 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 25801197.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0843 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm ARM processor performance-event manager component of Android operating systems. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before the 2016-04-01 security patch release. The vulnerability resides in the kernel-level performance monitoring interface that handles hardware performance events on Qualcomm processors, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the most privileged system level. The flaw allows malicious applications to exploit improper access controls within the performance event manager, enabling them to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This represents a significant bypass of Android's security model where user-space applications should be isolated from kernel operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Qualcomm performance-event manager subsystem. Attackers can craft malicious applications that manipulate performance event registers and control structures to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory regions and execution contexts. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper privilege checks when processing performance event requests, allowing unprivileged processes to manipulate hardware performance monitoring units that should only be accessible to kernel code. This flaw falls under the CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" category and demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access through hardware interface manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0843 is severe and far-reaching across the affected Android ecosystem. Successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise, allowing them to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system files, and maintain long-term access to infected devices. The vulnerability affects millions of Android devices deployed in enterprise and consumer environments, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting both individual users and corporate networks. The exploitation requires only a malicious application that can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised app stores, or drive-by downloads. Once exploited, the attacker gains root-level access that can be used to establish persistent presence on the device, monitor user activities, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0843 primarily focus on timely patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by Google and device manufacturers to address this vulnerability. The patch addresses the underlying privilege escalation issue by implementing proper access controls and input validation within the performance-event manager subsystem. Additional mitigations include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious performance event activity, and conducting regular security audits of Android devices. Device administrators should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent installation of malicious applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of hardware-software security integration and demonstrates why comprehensive security testing of kernel-level components is essential. Security teams should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify abnormal performance monitoring activity patterns.