CVE-2016-3797 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5X devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28085680 and Qualcomm internal bug CR1001450.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3797 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affects Nexus 5X devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security patch release, creating a significant security risk that allows malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user-level access to system-level administrative control. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Wi-Fi driver's kernel components, enabling attackers to craft specially designed applications that exploit memory corruption issues to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver handles specific network-related data structures during wireless communication processing. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the Wi-Fi subsystem through crafted network packets or driver interfaces, it can trigger a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition that allows arbitrary code execution in kernel space. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 weakness category, which specifically addresses "Improper Access to Memory Locations" and represents a classic example of kernel-level privilege escalation through driver vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the intersection of wireless networking protocols and kernel security boundaries, where insufficient validation of user-space inputs leads to potential system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control over affected devices. Once successfully exploited, the malicious application can access all device data, modify system configurations, install additional malware, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no physical access to the device and can be exploited through standard application installation mechanisms, making it a prime target for mobile malware campaigns. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects a core system component that is always active during normal device operation, creating continuous exposure windows for exploitation.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK framework technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, covering "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to execute arbitrary commands and scripts. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it particularly effective for social engineering attacks. Organizations and users must understand that this vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model, where a single compromised application can lead to complete device takeover. The flaw's classification as a kernel-level vulnerability means that standard Android security measures like application sandboxing and permission models become ineffective, as the exploit operates at a level below these protective mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the Android security patch released on 2016-07-05, which addresses the specific memory corruption issues in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver. System administrators should ensure all Nexus 5X devices are updated to the latest security patches and consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce patch compliance. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of third-party applications and the need for enhanced driver security testing. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources, as the exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed on the device. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Wi-Fi traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation involves specific network communication sequences that could be monitored for suspicious activity.