CVE-2016-3852 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The MediaTek Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-08-05 on Android One devices allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 29141147 and MediaTek internal bug ALPS02751738.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3852 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the MediaTek Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affected Android One devices and persisted across Android versions prior to the security patch released on August 5, 2016. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the driver layer that handles Wi-Fi communication protocols. Attackers could exploit this weakness through a malicious application that leverages the driver's insufficient boundary checks and improper handling of network packets. The flaw operates at the kernel level where the Wi-Fi driver interacts with the operating system's core networking functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized data extraction from sensitive system memory regions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects devices running Android versions that were widely distributed and used by consumers globally, making the potential attack surface extensive and impactful.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the MediaTek Wi-Fi driver's failure to properly validate and sanitize incoming network data structures before processing them within kernel memory spaces. When a crafted application attempts to establish or maintain Wi-Fi connections, it can manipulate the driver's packet handling mechanisms to trigger memory access violations or information leakage conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the driver's interaction with the wireless networking stack, where legitimate network operations can be manipulated to access memory locations containing sensitive information such as authentication credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data that should remain protected within kernel memory. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3852 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive system data that could be used for further exploitation or identity theft. Android One devices, which were designed to provide affordable access to Android functionality, became particularly vulnerable due to their widespread deployment and often limited security update mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a malicious application that can be distributed through legitimate app stores or through social engineering tactics, making it highly accessible to threat actors. Once exploited, the attacker could gain access to network session data, potentially compromising wireless communications and user privacy. The timing of this vulnerability's discovery and patching coincides with the broader Android security model's evolution, where kernel-level drivers became increasingly critical components requiring more rigorous security validation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of driver security in mobile platforms and how low-level system components can create significant security risks when not properly validated against malicious inputs. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where device manufacturers and carriers play crucial roles in timely security patch deployment, particularly for devices with limited update support mechanisms that may leave users exposed for extended periods.