CVE-2016-5345 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Qualcomm radio driver in Android before 2017-01-05 on Android One devices allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 32639452 and Qualcomm internal bug CR1079713.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5345 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Qualcomm radio driver component of Android operating systems. This specific weakness affects Android devices released before January 5, 2017, particularly those utilizing the Android One platform. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the radio driver code that handles communication between the device's radio hardware and the operating system. The flaw exists at the kernel level where the Qualcomm radio driver processes data from user-space applications without adequate bounds checking, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition where a crafted application can write more data into a fixed-size memory buffer than it can accommodate. This overflow occurs when the Qualcomm radio driver fails to properly validate the length of incoming data packets or commands, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the radio driver's handling of certain communication protocols and system calls, enabling an attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the driver code. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the flaw allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard application level access to kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides a pathway for local privilege escalation that could result in complete system compromise. An attacker with a malicious application installed on the target device can exploit this vulnerability to gain kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing all standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux policies and application sandboxing. Once escalated, the attacker could access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, install persistent backdoors, and potentially access encrypted data stored on the device. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2017-01-05 security patch, making it particularly dangerous for users who have not updated their systems. The attack vector requires only a locally installed application, making it difficult to detect and prevent through network-based security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5345 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm as part of the Android security updates. The most effective remediation involves updating the Android operating system to a version released after January 5, 2017, which includes fixes for the Qualcomm radio driver buffer overflow. Organizations and individuals should ensure their devices receive all available security updates from their device manufacturers and carriers, as many vendors may have released patches independently of the official Android updates. Additionally, implementing proper application vetting procedures and restricting the installation of untrusted applications can reduce the risk of exploitation. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application installations and maintain awareness of the specific device models and Android versions affected by this vulnerability. The patch addresses the underlying buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the Qualcomm radio driver code, preventing the overflow condition that previously enabled privilege escalation attacks.