CVE-2016-5860 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In an audio driver in all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, if a function is called with a very large length, an integer overflow could occur followed by a heap buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5860 represents a critical security flaw within the audio driver component of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that are integrated into numerous Android devices. This issue affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) that operate on the Linux kernel architecture, creating a widespread impact across multiple device manufacturers and product lines. The vulnerability resides in the kernel-level audio driver implementation where improper input validation leads to dangerous memory handling behaviors that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs when a function processes input parameters with excessively large length values. When the audio driver receives a malformed input parameter containing an extremely large length value, the system fails to properly validate this input against expected ranges. This overflow condition subsequently triggers a heap buffer overflow, where the system attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of heap-allocated buffers. The integer overflow typically occurs during arithmetic operations where the result exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the integer data type, causing the value to wrap around to a much smaller number. This wrapped value then becomes the basis for subsequent memory allocation calculations, leading to insufficient buffer sizing and ultimately enabling the heap overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious audio input streams or manipulating audio driver interfaces with oversized parameters, potentially allowing them to execute code with kernel-level privileges. The heap buffer overflow creates opportunities for memory corruption that could be leveraged to overwrite critical system structures, modify program execution flow, or even establish persistent backdoor access to affected devices. This vulnerability particularly concerns mobile device security as it affects the foundational audio subsystem that is continuously active and accessible through various application interfaces, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers with minimal privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5860 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators through comprehensive firmware updates and security patches. Qualcomm has released updated audio driver components that include proper input validation mechanisms to prevent integer overflow conditions and ensure adequate buffer sizing calculations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation checks before any memory allocation operations, particularly focusing on length parameter boundaries and ensuring that all arithmetic operations are performed with appropriate overflow detection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous audio driver behavior and establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through kernel-level vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain elevated system privileges.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of kernel-level security in mobile platforms where hardware and software integration creates complex attack surfaces. Device manufacturers must implement comprehensive security testing procedures that include fuzzing and boundary condition testing for all kernel modules, particularly those handling user input or external data streams. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar integer overflow conditions that may exist in other kernel components, as these types of vulnerabilities often indicate systemic issues in input validation practices. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of secure coding practices and the implementation of defensive programming techniques such as bounds checking, integer overflow detection, and proper error handling to prevent similar issues from emerging in future implementations.