CVE-2016-2474 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-06-01 on Nexus 5X devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27424603.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2474 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This security weakness specifically affects Nexus 5X devices and impacts all Android versions prior to the 2016-06-01 security patch release. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Wi-Fi driver's kernel space implementation, creating a pathway for malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user-level access to system-level administrative rights. The issue manifests through a crafted application that exploits a buffer overflow condition in the driver's handling of Wi-Fi configuration parameters, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific memory corruption pattern within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver's kernel module. When a malicious application attempts to configure Wi-Fi settings through the Android framework, it can trigger a buffer overflow condition that corrupts kernel memory structures. This memory corruption enables attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the driver and subsequently gain full system privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-known class of memory safety issues that have historically led to privilege escalation attacks. The flaw exists in the driver's implementation of the Wi-Fi configuration interface where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, ultimately enabling code execution with kernel privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected Nexus 5X devices running vulnerable Android versions. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the device, enabling them to access all user data, modify system configurations, install malicious applications, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Android by allowing any installed application to bypass the normal security restrictions that separate user applications from system-level operations. This privilege escalation capability can lead to data theft, device compromise, and potential use in larger attack campaigns targeting connected users or corporate networks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential supply chain attacks, as the flaw affects devices that were widely distributed and supported through Google's Nexus program.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2474 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Google and Qualcomm. Users should immediately update their Nexus 5X devices to Android 6.0.1 or later versions that contain the necessary kernel-level fixes for the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce timely security updates and monitor for devices running vulnerable Android versions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-level security testing and the need for robust input validation in device driver implementations. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used in targeted attacks against specific user populations. Additionally, the flaw underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the ATT&CK framework for mobile device security, particularly focusing on privilege escalation techniques and kernel-level attack vectors that can be mitigated through proper defensive programming practices and regular security assessments.