CVE-2016-3912 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The framework APIs in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 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 allow attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 30202481.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3912 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android framework APIs that affected multiple versions of the Android operating system. This weakness resides in the core system components that manage application permissions and security boundaries, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard application level access to system-level control. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android versions 4.x prior to 4.4.4, 5.0.x prior to 5.0.2, 5.1.x prior to 5.1.1, and 6.x and 7.0 releases before the specified security patch date of October 1, 2016. The flaw enables attackers to craft specially designed applications that can exploit weaknesses in the permission model and system call handling mechanisms, ultimately allowing them to bypass security restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and handling of framework API calls within the Android runtime environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness by developing malicious applications that manipulate the system's permission checking mechanisms or exploit race conditions in the framework API implementations. The vulnerability operates at the system level where legitimate applications should not be able to perform actions that require elevated privileges, yet the flawed API handling allows for such unauthorized operations to succeed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-264, which specifically addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model that separates user applications from system-level operations. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which applications can bypass the normal security boundaries that protect the Android system from malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3912 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with comprehensive control over affected Android devices. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables malicious actors to install persistent malware, access sensitive user data, modify system files, and potentially establish root access that would allow for complete device compromise. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Local Privilege Escalation," and represents a critical threat vector that can be exploited across numerous Android devices in the wild. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects such a broad range of Android versions, meaning that millions of devices could be potentially compromised if proper security updates were not applied. Organizations and users operating affected Android versions faced significant risk of data breaches, device hijacking, and unauthorized surveillance operations that could persist even after device reboots.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3912 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches and updates released by Google and device manufacturers. Users should immediately update their Android devices to versions that contain the fix, which was included in the security updates released in October 2016 for the affected versions. Device administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all Android devices within their organization receive timely security updates. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of suspicious application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around privilege escalation activities. Network security teams should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically deploy updates to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how even fundamental system APIs can contain weaknesses that, when exploited, can result in complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting the installation of applications from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of exploitation.