CVE-2016-2467 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm sound driver in Android before 2016-06-01 on Nexus 5 devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 28029010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2467 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm sound driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affects Nexus 5 devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-06-01 security patch release, creating a persistent security weakness that attackers could exploit to elevate their privileges from standard application level access to system-level administrative control. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the sound driver's kernel space implementation, which processes audio-related system calls and hardware interactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted malicious application that leverages a specific flaw in how the Qualcomm sound driver handles certain input parameters. When executed, this malicious application can manipulate the driver's behavior to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the standard Android security model that separates user applications from system-level operations. The flaw operates at the kernel level where the sound driver maintains privileged access to audio hardware and system resources, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with direct access to critical system functions and data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to affected Nexus 5 devices as it allows attackers to gain complete system control without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors. The exploitability of this issue means that a malicious application downloaded from untrusted sources could immediately compromise the entire device, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device takeover. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect enterprise security posture, as compromised devices could serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, particularly in environments where mobile devices connect to corporate networks.
Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the Android security patch released on June 1, 2016, which addresses this specific vulnerability through proper input validation and privilege management within the Qualcomm sound driver. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary audio applications, implementing mobile device management policies that restrict application installation from unknown sources, and conducting regular security audits of mobile device configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of a kernel-level privilege escalation attack that could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system access for privilege escalation purposes. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of timely security patch management and the inherent risks associated with kernel-level drivers that maintain elevated privileges within mobile operating systems.