CVE-2016-5871 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an integer overflow to buffer overflow vulnerability exists when loading an image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5871 represents a critical security flaw affecting Qualcomm products that utilize Android-based systems with Linux kernel implementations. This issue stems from improper handling of integer values during image file processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted image inputs. The vulnerability impacts all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and utilize the Linux kernel for their operating system functionality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing image file data within the kernel space of Qualcomm's Android implementations. When the system attempts to load and process image files, the integer arithmetic operations fail to properly validate input sizes, leading to situations where calculated buffer sizes exceed the maximum allowable limits. This overflow condition ultimately results in a buffer overflow scenario where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw specifically manifests during the image loading process, making it particularly dangerous when users interact with multimedia content or when the system automatically processes image files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5871 extends across numerous Qualcomm-powered devices including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms that rely on Android-based operating systems with Linux kernel implementations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious image files that trigger the integer overflow condition, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation could result in persistent system control, data exfiltration, or complete device takeover. Mobile devices running affected Qualcomm chipsets become vulnerable to attacks that could be delivered through various vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected multimedia content.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and align it with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through image processing modules. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer arithmetic bounds checking in kernel-level code. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, kernel patches from Qualcomm, and network-level restrictions to prevent exploitation. Additionally, users should avoid opening untrusted image files and ensure their devices receive timely security updates to protect against this and similar kernel-level vulnerabilities that could compromise device integrity and user data confidentiality.