CVE-2016-3774 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 29008609 and MediaTek internal bug ALPS02703102.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3774 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting MediaTek-based Android devices, particularly those running Android versions prior to July 5, 2016. This issue specifically targets the MediaTek driver implementations within the Android operating system, creating a pathway for malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user-level access to system-level control. The vulnerability was internally tracked as Android bug 29008609 and MediaTek bug ALPS02703102, indicating its recognition within both Google and MediaTek development ecosystems. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper privilege handling within the MediaTek driver components, which are essential for hardware abstraction and device functionality in Android smartphones.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted malicious application that leverages specific weaknesses in the MediaTek driver interfaces. Attackers can manipulate kernel-level driver functions to bypass normal security boundaries, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and represents a classic kernel-level privilege escalation vector. The attack typically involves exploiting buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper access control mechanisms within the driver code that handle communication between userspace applications and hardware components. The MediaTek drivers in question are responsible for managing various hardware peripherals and system resources, making them prime targets for attackers seeking system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices. Once successfully exploited, malicious actors can install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive user data, and potentially compromise the entire device security posture. This vulnerability affected numerous Android One devices and other MediaTek-powered smartphones, creating a widespread attack surface across multiple device models and manufacturers. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, covering "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to execute further malicious activities. The vulnerability's presence in devices released before the July 2016 security patch cycle meant that millions of users were potentially exposed to this risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3774 require immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers and Google, specifically targeting the MediaTek driver implementations in affected Android versions. Users should ensure their devices receive the July 2016 security updates that addressed this vulnerability through proper kernel driver validation and privilege enforcement mechanisms. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive security testing of driver components, particularly focusing on input validation and access control checks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure driver development practices and proper code review processes, as outlined in industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards and NIST SP 800-160 guidelines for secure software development. Organizations should also consider implementing device monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence on similar kernel-level vulnerabilities that may target MediaTek-based systems.