CVE-2016-2503 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm GPU driver in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5X and 6P devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28084795 and Qualcomm internal bug CR1006067.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2503 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm GPU driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affects Nexus 5X and 6P devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security patch release. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the GPU driver's kernel space components, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The flaw manifests through a crafted application that leverages memory corruption techniques to manipulate kernel memory structures and bypass Android's security model.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Qualcomm GPU driver implementation, specifically targeting the graphics processing unit's memory management unit. The issue involves a lack of proper bounds checking and validation when processing GPU commands and memory allocations, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious GPU operations that can overwrite critical kernel memory structures. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" conditions, though the actual exploitation likely involves more complex memory corruption patterns typical of kernel-level privilege escalation attacks. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially allowing full system compromise and persistent access to device resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete system control over affected devices. Once exploited, the malicious application can bypass Android's security model, access all device data, modify system files, install malicious applications, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects devices that were widely deployed and in active use, making the potential attack surface substantial. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might unknowingly download compromised applications from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Google and device manufacturers. Users should ensure their Nexus 5X and 6P devices receive the Android security update released on or after July 5, 2016, which includes fixes for this specific kernel-level vulnerability. Organizations deploying these devices should implement strict application vetting processes and consider device enrollment in mobile device management solutions to enforce security policies. The mitigation aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," emphasizing the need for proper patch management and kernel security hardening. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any suspicious behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing kernel module integrity checking mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system components.