CVE-2016-3772 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The MediaTek drivers in Android before 2016-07-05 on Android One devices allow attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 29008188 and MediaTek internal bug ALPS02703102.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting MediaTek-based Android devices released prior to July 5th 2016. The issue resides within the MediaTek driver implementations that are integral to the Android operating system's hardware abstraction layer on these specific devices. Attackers can exploit this weakness through a specially crafted application that leverages improper access controls within the driver code, allowing unauthorized elevation of privileges from regular application context to system-level access. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android One devices which utilize MediaTek chipsets, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these devices in emerging markets.
The technical root cause stems from inadequate input validation and improper privilege checking within the MediaTek driver components that handle hardware-specific operations. This flaw creates a pathway for malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with elevated privileges typically restricted to system-level processes. The vulnerability manifests when the compromised driver fails to properly verify the authenticity and authorization level of incoming requests, enabling attackers to manipulate driver behavior through crafted inputs. According to CWE classification, this represents a privilege escalation vulnerability under CWE-269, specifically involving insufficient privileges or incorrect access control mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting driver-level vulnerabilities to achieve system-level compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to gain complete control over affected devices without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond installing a malicious application. Once exploited, compromised devices can be used for persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, or as launching points for further attacks within corporate networks. The vulnerability affects a significant portion of Android One devices deployed globally, particularly in regions where MediaTek chipsets are predominant. This makes it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to conduct large-scale attacks against specific device populations. The exploitation requires only a single malicious application installation, making it particularly dangerous for users who may unknowingly download compromised software from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected devices through official Android security updates released on or after July 5th 2016. Device manufacturers and carriers should implement rapid deployment of security patches to affected Android One devices. Users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain regular security updates. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement application whitelisting policies where possible. Security researchers and vendors should conduct thorough code reviews of driver implementations to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in kernel-level drivers and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of hardware abstraction layers in mobile operating systems. Organizations should also consider implementing device monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts.