CVE-2016-2434 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The NVIDIA video driver in Android before 2016-05-01 on Nexus 9 devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27251090.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2434 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the NVIDIA video driver component of Android systems, specifically affecting Nexus 9 devices prior to the 2016-05-01 security update. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level graphics driver implementation that governs hardware acceleration capabilities for multimedia processing and display rendering. The flaw enables malicious applications to exploit a weakness in the driver's privilege handling mechanisms, allowing them to elevate their execution context from unprivileged user space to kernel-level privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the Android security model's principle of least privilege, where applications should not be able to access or manipulate system resources beyond their designated permissions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the NVIDIA graphics driver's kernel module. Attackers can craft malicious applications that trigger specific sequences of API calls or memory operations which bypass normal access controls and privilege boundaries. The vulnerability likely involves improper handling of memory management operations or device control commands that should be restricted to trusted system components. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-264, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access controls issues. The flaw essentially creates a path for arbitrary code execution at the highest privilege level, enabling attackers to manipulate system resources, modify critical files, or disable security mechanisms entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected Nexus 9 devices running Android versions prior to the remediation date. Once exploited, the malicious application can gain complete control over the device's graphics processing unit and underlying system resources, effectively providing a backdoor for persistent access. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to install malware, extract sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even create new user accounts with administrative privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require physical access to the device or root access for the attacker, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through malicious applications downloaded from third-party sources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation (T1068) and exploitation for privilege escalation (T1068) by leveraging kernel-level vulnerabilities to gain administrative control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2434 primarily involve applying the security patch released by Google and NVIDIA in their respective updates for the Android operating system. Users should ensure their Nexus 9 devices receive the 2016-05-01 security update or later, which includes fixes for the graphics driver's privilege handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure all affected devices receive timely security updates, particularly in enterprise environments where these devices may be in use. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of graphics driver usage or unauthorized application installations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-level controls can help prevent the installation of malicious applications through third-party app stores, while device encryption and secure boot mechanisms provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of device drivers and kernel modules, as these components often represent attack surfaces that require specialized security testing and validation before deployment in production environments.