CVE-2016-3854 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/media/video/msm/msm_mctl_buf.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-08-05 does not validate the image mode, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds array access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application, aka Qualcomm internal bug CR897326.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3854 resides within the Qualcomm components of Android operating systems, specifically in the msm_mctl_buf.c driver file located in the media/video/msm directory. This flaw affects Android versions prior to the 2016-08-05 security update, representing a critical security gap in the mobile platform's kernel-level media processing capabilities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Qualcomm MSM (Media Streaming Module) control driver, which is responsible for managing video capture and processing operations on devices utilizing Qualcomm chipsets. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate the image mode parameter provided by applications, creating a pathway for malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds array access condition that occurs when the driver processes image mode parameters without proper bounds checking. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and more broadly aligns with CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious application that submits an invalid image mode value, the driver's buffer management routines fail to validate the input against expected parameter ranges, resulting in memory access violations. The vulnerability's nature allows for potential exploitation that could manifest as denial of service conditions, where the system becomes unresponsive or crashes during media processing operations, or more severe impacts including arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and exploitation vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3854 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the Android platform's security architecture. Mobile devices running affected Android versions become vulnerable to attacks that can compromise the device's media processing capabilities, potentially affecting camera functionality, video recording, and other multimedia applications. The vulnerability's classification as a Qualcomm internal bug CR897326 indicates that it was identified within the vendor's internal quality assurance processes but required a security patch to address. Attackers could leverage this flaw to create persistent denial of service conditions that would prevent users from accessing critical multimedia functions, while also potentially opening doors for more sophisticated attacks that could escalate privileges or execute malicious code within the kernel context. The vulnerability affects devices across multiple Android versions and Qualcomm chipset generations, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a broad range of mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3854 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm in their respective Android security updates. Device manufacturers and users should immediately install the Android security patch released on August 5, 2016, which includes the necessary code modifications to properly validate image mode parameters in the msm_mctl_buf.c driver. The patch implements proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms that prevent the out-of-bounds array access condition from occurring. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all devices in their environment receive the appropriate security updates and consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted applications that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges through kernel-level exploitation. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous media processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to compromise device security.