CVE-2016-3928 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The MediaTek video driver in Android before 2016-10-05 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 30019362 and MediaTek internal bug ALPS02829384.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3928 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the MediaTek video driver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects Android versions prior to the security patch released on October 5, 2016, and was internally tracked as Android bug 30019362 and MediaTek bug ALPS02829384. The flaw resides in how the video driver handles certain input parameters, creating a pathway for malicious applications to execute code with elevated privileges beyond their normal application sandbox boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the MediaTek video driver implementation. When a crafted application interacts with the video driver through specific API calls or buffer operations, it can trigger a condition where kernel-level memory corruption occurs. This memory corruption allows the malicious application to manipulate kernel execution flow and ultimately escalate its privileges to the system level. The vulnerability specifically relates to insufficient bounds checking and improper privilege separation between user-space applications and kernel-space driver components, which violates fundamental security principles of operating system design.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to mobile device security as it enables attackers to bypass the standard Android security model that isolates applications from each other and from system-level resources. Once exploited, the malicious application can gain root access to the device, allowing for complete system compromise including the ability to read or modify any data, install additional malicious software, modify system configurations, and potentially access sensitive user information. The attack vector requires only a user to install and run a specially crafted application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various app distribution channels including legitimate app stores.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect large-scale deployments where multiple devices are managed through enterprise or organizational systems. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, which directly relates to the memory corruption aspects of the exploit. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques to gain system-level access. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes other kernel-level exploits and mobile-specific attack vectors that could be leveraged in conjunction with this privilege escalation mechanism. The remediation process requires immediate application of the Android security patches released in October 2016, along with comprehensive device inventory management to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary updates.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure driver development practices and proper privilege separation in mobile operating systems. The flaw highlights the risks associated with third-party component integration where security testing may not adequately cover kernel-level interactions. Organizations should implement robust mobile device management policies that include regular security patching, application vetting processes, and continuous monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. The incident also underscores the necessity of maintaining current threat intelligence feeds to identify and respond to similar vulnerabilities in other mobile platform components and third-party drivers that may present similar privilege escalation risks.