CVE-2016-3752 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
internal/app/ChooserActivity.java in the ChooserTarget service in Android 6.x before 2016-07-01 mishandles target security checks, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 28384423.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3752 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android operating system's ChooserTarget service implementation. This issue specifically affects Android 6.0 and earlier versions, with the patch release date of July 1, 2016, indicating the severity of the flaw that required immediate attention. The vulnerability resides in the internal/app/ChooserActivity.java file which governs how applications handle chooser targets, essentially creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system security controls. This flaw operates at the system level within Android's framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any application with sufficient privileges to trigger the vulnerable code path.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of target security checks within the ChooserTarget service. When applications attempt to register or interact with chooser targets, the system fails to properly verify the security context and permissions of the requesting application. This inadequate validation allows an attacker to craft a malicious application that can bypass normal security boundaries and escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the system handles security contexts during target registration and interaction, creating a scenario where untrusted applications can manipulate the chooser target service to gain elevated privileges. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-276 category of Incorrect Default Permissions, as it involves improper handling of security checks that should normally prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3752 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Android 6.0 and earlier versions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially enabling them to read sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even install malicious applications with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the Privilege Escalation tactic, specifically using the technique of Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. This flaw could be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where Android devices are used for sensitive operations, as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain complete control over affected devices. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction to exploit, making it a significant threat to device security and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3752 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of Android 6.0, with the July 2016 security update providing the necessary fixes. Organizations should ensure all devices are updated to Android 6.0.1 or later, which includes the corrected implementation of target security checks in the ChooserTarget service. Additionally, security administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unknown or untrusted applications from running on affected devices. Network-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual privilege escalation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and security context handling in Android framework components, serving as a reminder for developers to implement robust security checks in system-level services. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Android device management policies and ensure that device updates are applied promptly to address similar vulnerabilities in the future.