CVE-2016-5862 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
When a control related to codec is issued from userspace in all Qualcomm products with Android release from CAF using the Linux kernel, the type casting is done to the container structure instead of the codec's individual structure, resulting in a device restart after kernel crash occurs.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm products running Android versions that utilize the Linux kernel for codec control operations. The flaw stems from improper type casting within the kernel's handling of codec-related commands issued from userspace. When a control command is processed, the kernel incorrectly casts the incoming data to a container structure rather than the appropriate codec-specific structure. This type casting error creates a critical memory management issue that leads to kernel instability and ultimately causes the device to restart. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products that use the Linux kernel for codec operations and are running Android versions from the Common Android Framework (CAF) release cycle. The issue represents a fundamental flaw in the kernel's input validation and memory handling mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate the data structure before processing.
The technical impact of this vulnerability manifests as a kernel crash followed by automatic device restart, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The improper type casting allows for memory corruption that triggers the kernel's panic handler, resulting in an immediate system restart. This behavior is particularly concerning because it can be triggered by any userspace application that sends a malformed codec control command to the kernel. The vulnerability does not require special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any application running on the device. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a critical weakness in the kernel's memory management and input validation processes, as it allows for arbitrary code execution through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5862 extends beyond simple device restarts to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. The kernel crash condition creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the system's recovery mechanisms or to trigger additional vulnerabilities during the restart process. This vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the device's operating system, as legitimate users may experience unexpected restarts during normal operation. The issue is particularly problematic in enterprise environments where device reliability is critical, and in mobile devices where unexpected restarts can compromise user experience and data integrity. The vulnerability also represents a weakness in the Qualcomm platform's security architecture, as it indicates insufficient input validation and memory protection mechanisms within the kernel's codec handling subsystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on kernel-level patches that correct the type casting error and implement proper input validation for codec control commands. System administrators should ensure that all Qualcomm devices are updated with the latest kernel patches provided by Qualcomm and the Android security team. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, as the improper type casting leads to memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as it allows for system-level instability and potential exploitation of kernel memory corruption. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual restart patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and consider device hardening measures that restrict access to codec control interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper kernel security testing and input validation procedures in preventing similar issues in future implementations.