CVE-2016-5855 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In a driver, in all Qualcomm product with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a user-supplied buffer is casted to a structure without checking if the source buffer is large enough.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5855 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Qualcomm Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel. This flaw exists within device drivers that process user-supplied data, creating a scenario where malicious input can lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to verify buffer size constraints before casting user data to structured data types. According to CWE-129, this manifests as an insufficient size check, which directly enables buffer overflows through improper bounds validation during data processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when driver code receives user-controlled input and immediately casts it to a predefined data structure without first validating that the input buffer contains sufficient data to populate all expected fields. This pattern creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that exceeds the expected buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across multiple device models and firmware versions.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to device security and user privacy. An attacker exploiting this flaw could potentially gain root access to affected devices, enabling complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The attack surface extends beyond local exploitation to include potential remote code execution scenarios when the vulnerable driver interfaces with network services or user input mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain system-level access, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through system interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5855 require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists at the driver level within the kernel. System administrators should implement robust input validation controls and ensure that all device drivers perform proper buffer size checks before casting user data to structured formats. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their mobile device management systems to identify potentially affected devices and establish remediation timelines. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning procedures should be maintained to prevent similar issues from arising in future software releases, adhering to security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 and ISO 27001 standards for mobile device security management.