CVE-2016-3890 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) implementation in adb/sockets.cpp in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-09-01 mishandles socket close operations, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 28347842.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3890 represents a critical security flaw within the Android debugging infrastructure that affects multiple versions of the Android operating system. This issue resides in the Java Debug Wire Protocol implementation within the Android Debug Bridge (adb) component, specifically in the sockets.cpp file. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of socket close operations during the debugging process, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious applications. The affected versions include Android 4.x prior to 4.4.4, Android 5.0.x prior to 5.0.2, Android 5.1.x prior to 5.1.1, and Android 6.x releases before the specified date, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests when an application attempts to close a socket connection that is being used for debugging purposes. The improper socket closure handling allows attackers to manipulate the debugging protocol in ways that bypass normal security boundaries. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-362, which classifies it as a Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Uncontrolled Access. The weakness occurs because the JDWP implementation does not properly validate or secure socket operations during the debugging session lifecycle, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks that can potentially elevate application permissions to system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on affected Android devices. This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious applications that have already gained some level of access to the device, potentially through other attack vectors or by being pre-installed on the device. The attack requires the target device to be in a debugging state, which may be enabled through developer options or specific device configurations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, covering "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as the successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute commands with higher privileges than initially granted to the malicious application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected Android versions to the latest security updates provided by Google. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all devices running affected Android versions are updated with the relevant security patches released in September 2016. Additionally, organizations should implement security policies that disable debugging features on production devices and restrict the installation of applications from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper socket management in debugging protocols and serves as a reminder for developers to implement robust error handling and resource cleanup procedures in debugging components. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual debugging activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, and device enrollment in mobile device management systems can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized access to debugging features.