CVE-2016-2490 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The NVIDIA camera driver in Android before 2016-06-01 on Nexus 9 devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27533373.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2490 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the NVIDIA camera driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affected Nexus 9 devices and remained unpatched until the Android security update released on June 1, 2016. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the camera driver subsystem, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious applications to elevate their privileges to system level. The flaw was categorized as an internal bug with the identifier 27533373, indicating its discovery within NVIDIA's internal development processes before public disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that leverages improper privilege checks within the camera driver interface. When an application attempts to interact with the camera hardware through the driver, the system fails to properly validate the requesting application's permissions and capabilities. This validation gap allows an attacker to manipulate driver calls and gain unauthorized access to system-level resources that should remain restricted to trusted system components. The flaw specifically targets the privilege separation mechanisms that normally prevent user-space applications from executing privileged operations directly against hardware drivers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes improper privilege management, and represents a classic example of how driver-level flaws can be exploited to bypass operating system security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2490 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control over affected Nexus 9 devices. Once exploited, malicious applications can access all device resources including camera functionality, file system contents, network communications, and sensitive user data. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Android by undermining the fundamental principle that user applications should operate within restricted environments. This flaw particularly impacts devices running Android versions prior to the June 2016 security patch, leaving millions of users vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. The exploitability of this vulnerability is heightened due to the fact that it requires no special user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2490 primarily focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released in June 2016, which addressed the underlying privilege escalation mechanisms within the NVIDIA camera driver. Device administrators should ensure that all Nexus 9 devices are updated to the latest Android security release, as this vulnerability was specifically resolved through driver-level modifications and enhanced access control enforcement. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that mandate regular security updates and monitor for vulnerable device populations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure driver development practices, particularly in the context of mobile platforms where hardware drivers must balance performance requirements with security constraints. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for persistent access, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within compromised environments.