CVE-2016-2409 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A Texas Instruments (TI) haptic kernel driver in Android 6.x before 2016-04-01 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application that leverages control over a service that can call this driver, aka internal bug 25981545.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2409 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Texas Instruments haptic kernel driver component of Android 6.0 systems. This vulnerability specifically affects devices running Android 6.x versions prior to the 2016-04-01 security patch release, creating a significant attack surface that malicious applications could exploit to elevate their privileges. The flaw resides in the kernel-level driver responsible for controlling haptic feedback mechanisms, which are commonly used for tactile responses in mobile devices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269 as a privilege escalation issue, where an unprivileged user-space application can manipulate kernel-level components to achieve elevated access rights.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that gains control over a service capable of invoking the vulnerable haptic driver. This service typically operates with elevated privileges due to its role in system-level haptic feedback management, but the flaw allows malicious applications to leverage this privileged execution path. Attackers can manipulate the driver interface through improper input validation or insufficient access controls, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper privilege management where service components that should remain isolated from user applications can be manipulated by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Android 6.0 systems by allowing attackers to bypass kernel-level protections. Once successfully exploited, adversaries could gain complete control over affected devices, enabling them to install malicious applications, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even create persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a malicious application to be installed, making it a zero-click vulnerability for users who may inadvertently download compromised software from untrusted sources. This vulnerability affects the core security architecture of Android devices and could potentially compromise the integrity of the entire system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2409 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released in April 2016, which address the privilege escalation flaw in the TI haptic driver component. Organizations and users should immediately update their Android devices to versions containing the patched kernel driver implementation. Additionally, system administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from being installed, particularly those that may attempt to interact with system-level drivers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel driver security implementation and access control mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Regular security audits of kernel components and proper input validation should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system updates.