CVE-2016-3768 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm performance component in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5, 6, 5X, 6P, and 7 (2013) devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28172137 and Qualcomm internal bug CR1010644.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3768 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm performance component of Android operating systems. This security weakness affected numerous Nexus devices including the Nexus 5, 6, 5X, 6P, and 2013 Nexus 7 models, specifically targeting Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security patch release. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege management within the Qualcomm performance management daemon, which operates at a system level with elevated privileges. Attackers could exploit this flaw by installing a malicious application that would trigger a privilege escalation payload, allowing the crafted application to execute with system-level privileges rather than its normal user-level permissions. This represents a classic example of a kernel-level vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the Android operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition or buffer overflow within the Qualcomm performance management service that handles system performance optimization requests. The flaw occurs when the system component processes performance-related commands from applications without adequate validation of input parameters or privilege checks. This allows an attacker-controlled application to manipulate the performance management service into executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing Android's standard security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where it can manipulate core performance components that control CPU scheduling, memory management, and power optimization features. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 "Improper Input Validation" and potentially CWE-264 "Permissions, Privileges and Access Controls" as it involves unauthorized privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3768 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected devices. Once exploited, the malicious application could access all system resources, read sensitive data, modify system configurations, install additional malware, and potentially compromise user privacy. The vulnerability affects devices that were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments, making the potential attack surface substantial. Attackers could leverage this flaw to perform persistent surveillance, steal credentials, access encrypted data, or establish backdoors for continued access. The exploitation requires only a single malicious application installation, making it particularly dangerous for users who may unknowingly download compromised applications from untrusted sources. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model's principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the system's permission framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3768 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm in their respective Android security updates. Users should ensure their devices receive the 2016-07-05 security update or later versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize the distribution of these security patches to affected users. Additionally, users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain current security software on their devices. Organizations implementing mobile device management solutions should ensure their policies include automatic security patch deployment and regular device security assessments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, specifically T1068 "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers could leverage the elevated privileges to execute malicious code. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through unusual system behavior or unauthorized access patterns, as the vulnerability's exploitation typically results in elevated system processes that may trigger security alerts.