CVE-2016-2430 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
libbacktrace/Backtrace.cpp in debuggerd 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 2016-05-01 allows attackers to gain privileges via an application containing a crafted symbol name, aka internal bug 27299236.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2430 represents a privilege escalation flaw within the Android debugging infrastructure, specifically affecting the debuggerd component and its libbacktrace library implementation. This vulnerability resides in the Backtrace.cpp file which handles symbol resolution and backtrace generation for debugging purposes within the Android operating system. The issue manifests when the system processes applications containing crafted symbol names that exploit a flaw in how debuggerd handles symbol table entries during stack trace generation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the debuggerd service when processing symbol names from application binaries. When an application with maliciously crafted symbol names is executed, the debuggerd component attempts to generate backtraces for debugging purposes but fails to properly validate the symbol entries. This processing error creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can influence the execution flow of the debuggerd service, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the system level where debuggerd runs with elevated privileges to access debugging information from all applications, making it a critical target for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a mechanism to bypass Android's security model and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 4.x through 5.1.x and early 6.x releases, representing a broad attack surface across the Android ecosystem. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious applications that contain specially constructed symbol names, which when executed trigger the vulnerable code path in debuggerd. The privilege escalation occurs because debuggerd operates with system-level privileges and the flawed symbol processing allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of this privileged service. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories as it involves stack-based buffer overflow conditions and heap-based buffer overflows that can be exploited for privilege escalation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which focuses on exploiting weaknesses in privileged execution paths. The attack vector specifically targets the debugging infrastructure where attackers can craft applications to trigger the vulnerable symbol processing code path. The vulnerability represents a classic example of a privilege escalation through service manipulation where the system service responsible for debugging becomes a conduit for unauthorized privilege elevation. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability must understand that the flaw exists within the core Android debugging framework and requires immediate patching to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2430 primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which address the symbol validation issue in the debuggerd component. System administrators should prioritize patching affected Android versions to prevent exploitation, particularly targeting the specific build dates mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies and restrict the execution of unknown applications to reduce the attack surface. Network-based mitigations may include monitoring for suspicious application behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect potential symbol name manipulation patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components and the necessity of thorough input validation in debugging and diagnostic services. Regular security assessments of Android systems should include verification of debuggerd configurations and monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that could indicate exploitation of this or similar vulnerabilities.