CVE-2016-2456 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The MediaTek Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-05-01 on Android One devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27275187.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2456 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the MediaTek Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness specifically affected Android devices released prior to May 1, 2016, with particular impact on Android One devices that utilized MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the driver's kernel-level code, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system-level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the MediaTek Wi-Fi driver processes certain ioctl (input/output control) commands and memory operations. When a crafted application executes specific sequences of driver calls, it can manipulate kernel memory structures and bypass normal access controls. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-119, which addresses improper access to kernel memory, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access controls in kernel space. The flaw essentially creates a path for userspace applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively compromising the entire system security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected Android devices. Attackers who successfully exploit this privilege escalation flaw can gain complete control over the device, including the ability to install malicious applications, access all user data, modify system files, and potentially create persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-05-01 security patch, making a substantial portion of the Android ecosystem vulnerable. This weakness particularly impacts Android One devices which were designed as budget-friendly options but still required robust security measures to protect user privacy and device integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official security patches released by Google and device manufacturers. The Android security update released on May 1, 2016, included fixes specifically addressing this MediaTek Wi-Fi driver privilege escalation issue. Device users should ensure their systems are updated to the latest security patches, particularly the Android 6.0.1 release or subsequent versions that contain the necessary kernel-level fixes. Organizations managing Android device fleets should prioritize patch deployment and consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically enforce security updates. Additionally, security researchers and device manufacturers should conduct thorough code reviews of kernel drivers, particularly focusing on privilege handling and input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure driver development practices and proper kernel memory management, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059 which addresses execution through legitimate system tools.