CVE-2016-3792 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
CORE/HDD/src/wlan_hdd_hostapd.c in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices mishandles userspace data copying, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 27725204 and Qualcomm internal bug CR561022.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3792 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver implementation on Android devices, specifically affecting Nexus 7 (2013) models released before July 5, 2016. This issue resides in the wlan_hdd_hostapd.c source file within the CORE/HDD/src directory of the Android kernel subsystem, where improper handling of userspace data copying creates a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious applications to elevate their privileges. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and copying mechanisms when processing data from untrusted userspace contexts, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper memory management and data validation within the Wi-Fi driver's hostapd interface. When applications attempt to interact with the Wi-Fi subsystem through the affected driver, the kernel code fails to properly validate the boundaries and integrity of userspace data being copied into kernel memory regions. This memory corruption vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can manipulate kernel memory structures, bypassing standard security controls and access restrictions that normally prevent userspace processes from executing privileged operations. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Android HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) component, specifically targeting the WLAN hardware driver interface that manages access point functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows any malicious application to gain root privileges on affected devices without user interaction or explicit permission requests. Attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive user data, and completely compromise the device security posture. The vulnerability affects the core Wi-Fi functionality of Nexus 7 (2013) devices, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of these tablets and their integration into corporate and personal environments. This flaw effectively undermines the fundamental security model of Android devices by providing a direct path from unprivileged userspace to kernel-level execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the official Android security patch released on July 5, 2016, which addresses the improper data copying mechanisms in the wlan_hdd_hostapd.c file. System administrators and device users should immediately update to the patched Android version to eliminate the privilege escalation vector. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious Wi-Fi related activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to identify unusual Wi-Fi behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. This issue aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, privilege escalation through kernel exploits, making it a critical concern for mobile device security management and enterprise security operations.