CVE-2016-3900 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
cmds/servicemanager/service_manager.c in ServiceManager in Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x before 2016-10-01, and 7.0 before 2016-10-01 does not properly restrict service registration, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 29431260.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3900 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android ServiceManager component that affected multiple versions of the Android operating system. This issue resides in the cmds/servicemanager/service_manager.c file and specifically targets the service registration mechanisms that form the backbone of Android's inter-process communication infrastructure. The ServiceManager acts as a central registry for system services and manages the permissions required for applications to register and access these services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to elevate their privileges within the system.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation and restriction mechanisms during service registration processes within the Android framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting a malicious application that registers services with elevated privileges or by manipulating existing service registrations to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability operates at the system level where the ServiceManager fails to properly enforce security boundaries between different applications and system components, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-264, which deals with Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, specifically highlighting weaknesses in the enforcement of access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks that can compromise the entire Android device. An attacker with a malicious application can potentially gain access to sensitive system functions, read or modify protected data, and execute commands with the highest level of system permissions. This creates a significant risk for users as the vulnerability can be exploited through seemingly legitimate applications, making detection and prevention challenging. The attack surface is particularly broad since the ServiceManager is integral to Android's core functionality, affecting devices running Android 5.0.x through 5.1.x, 6.x, and 7.0 versions before specific security patches were released. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of privilege escalation techniques to gain system-level access through weaknesses in system service management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions, with security updates from Google addressing the specific service registration restrictions. Organizations should implement mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent installation of untrusted applications. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application behavior and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds. Device manufacturers and carriers must ensure timely deployment of security patches to protect their user base. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure service registration mechanisms and proper access control enforcement within mobile operating systems. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that include comprehensive input validation and proper privilege management when creating applications that interact with system services, as outlined in industry best practices for mobile security and Android application development standards.