CVE-2016-2466 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm sound driver in Android before 2016-06-01 on Nexus 6 devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27947307.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2466 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm sound driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness specifically affected Nexus 6 devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-06-01 security patch release, creating a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system-level access. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper privilege handling within the kernel-level sound driver module, which is responsible for managing audio hardware interfaces on these mobile devices. The vulnerability was internally tracked as bug 27947307, indicating its classification as a significant security concern within Qualcomm's internal development tracking systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that leverages memory corruption or improper access control mechanisms within the Qualcomm sound driver. Attackers can manipulate the driver's behavior to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing Android's standard security model that normally restricts application access to system resources. This flaw operates at the kernel level where the sound driver executes with high privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain complete control over the device's audio subsystem and potentially extend to other system components. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices and highlights the risks associated with insufficient sandboxing and privilege separation in mobile operating system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2466 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent backdoor that malicious actors can use to maintain long-term access to compromised Nexus 6 devices. Once exploited, attackers can install persistent malware, steal sensitive data, monitor communications, and potentially use the compromised device as a launch point for further attacks against networks or other devices. The vulnerability affects all Nexus 6 devices running vulnerable Android versions, creating a substantial attack surface that could be leveraged at scale given the device's popularity and the relatively simple exploitation method. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where mobile devices often contain sensitive corporate data and serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google and Qualcomm in June 2016. Users should immediately update their Nexus 6 devices to the latest available Android version that includes the fix for this privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should implement robust mobile device management policies to ensure timely patch deployment across all affected devices. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and represents a classic example of how kernel-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to achieve system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploits that leverage driver vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized system access. Network defenders should monitor for indicators of compromise related to suspicious audio driver behavior and ensure proper device hardening measures are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other system components.