CVE-2016-2412 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
include/core/SkPostConfig.h in Skia, as used in System_server 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, mishandles certain crashes, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 26593930.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2412 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Skia graphics library implementation in Android operating systems. This issue manifests in the include/core/SkPostConfig.h file where the system fails to properly handle certain crash conditions during the execution of system_server processes. The vulnerability 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 specified date, creating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw enables attackers to exploit improper crash handling mechanisms to escalate their privileges from standard application level access to higher privileged positions with Signature or SignatureOrSystem access rights.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper management of crash scenarios within the Skia graphics library's post-configuration header file. When certain error conditions occur during the processing of graphics operations, the system does not correctly terminate or handle these exceptions, allowing malicious applications to manipulate the execution flow. This mismanagement creates a privilege escalation vector where crafted applications can exploit the flawed crash handling to gain elevated permissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the system_server process which manages core Android system services and maintains strict permission controls. The flaw falls under CWE-248, an Uncaught Exception category, where the system fails to properly handle exceptional conditions that should result in graceful termination rather than potential privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2412 is severe as it allows attackers to achieve signature-level privileges without requiring physical access or additional exploitation techniques. This means malicious applications can potentially access system-level components, modify protected system files, or gain access to sensitive user data. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics aligned with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could effectively bypass Android's permission model and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire device. The impact extends beyond individual device security to potentially affect enterprise environments where Android devices are used for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions, with the most effective solution being the installation of security updates released by Google. Organizations should ensure all affected Android devices are updated to versions containing the fix, specifically targeting Android 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, and the corresponding 6.x releases. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as application whitelisting to prevent malicious applications from running on affected devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper exception handling in system-level libraries and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics libraries that are integrated into core system services. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual privilege escalation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged remotely through malicious applications distributed via various channels.