CVE-2016-2498 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-06-01 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices allows attackers to bypass intended data-access restrictions via a crafted application, aka internal bug 27777162.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2498 represents a critical security flaw in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver implementation within Android operating systems. This weakness specifically affects Nexus 7 (2013) devices and impacts all Android versions prior to the 2016-06-01 security patch release. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the Wi-Fi driver component, creating a pathway for malicious applications to circumvent the intended data access restrictions that protect user information and system resources. The issue manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows unauthorized applications to gain elevated access rights beyond their normal operational boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as classified by CWE-284, where the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver fails to properly enforce access restrictions on sensitive system resources. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can exploit weaknesses in the driver's permission model, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect Wi-Fi functionality and associated data. This represents a significant deviation from the expected behavior of the Android security model where applications should operate within strictly defined permission boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the driver level, which provides deep system access and can potentially compromise the entire device's security posture.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2498 extends beyond simple data access violations, as it creates opportunities for broader system compromise and information disclosure. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive network communications, intercept data transfers, or gain unauthorized access to device resources that should remain protected. The exploitation of this flaw on Nexus 7 (2013) devices represents a significant risk to users who may unknowingly install malicious applications that can utilize this weakness to elevate privileges and access restricted system components. The vulnerability affects devices that were already considered legacy platforms, making them particularly vulnerable as users may not have received timely security updates or may have been using unsupported versions of the operating system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2498 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by Google and Qualcomm. Users should ensure their Nexus 7 (2013) devices receive the 2016-06-01 security update that addresses this specific vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that might exploit this weakness. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all device platforms and demonstrates the critical nature of driver-level security controls in mobile operating systems. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could enable persistent surveillance capabilities for threat actors. The flaw underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing at all levels of the operating system stack, particularly for components that interface directly with hardware drivers and system resources.