CVE-2016-6184 in Honor 4C
Summary
by MITRE
The Camera driver in Huawei Honor 4C smartphones with software CHM-UL00C00 before CHM-UL00C00B564, CHM-TL00C01 before CHM-TL00C01B564, and CHM-TL00C00 before CHM-TL00HC00B564 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) or gain privileges via a crafted application, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-6180, CVE-2016-6181, CVE-2016-6182, and CVE-2016-6183.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6184 affects the camera driver component in Huawei Honor 4C smartphones running specific software versions. This issue represents a critical security flaw within the device's operating system that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system stability and potentially escalate privileges. The affected models include various configurations of the Honor 4C with software versions prior to specific build numbers, creating a widespread impact across multiple device variants. The vulnerability specifically targets the camera driver module which serves as a crucial interface between the hardware camera component and the Android operating system, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit kernel-level components.
The technical flaw manifests through a crafted application that can trigger improper handling of input data within the camera driver. This improper input validation leads to memory corruption or privilege escalation conditions that can result in system crashes or unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where the camera driver executes with elevated privileges, allowing an attacker to leverage this weakness to gain deeper system access than initially intended. The attack vector involves installing and executing a malicious application that specifically targets memory layout or buffer handling within the driver code, potentially causing memory corruption that results in system instability or privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-level privilege escalation as defined by the CWE taxonomy, specifically CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6184 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential privilege escalation that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive user data, modify system files, or install persistent malware on the affected devices. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions within the same device family indicates a fundamental flaw in the driver implementation that was not properly addressed through the affected firmware releases. This creates a significant risk for users who may not be aware that their devices remain vulnerable even after applying standard security updates that may not address this specific kernel-level issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6184 should focus on both immediate device protection and long-term security improvements. Users should immediately update their devices to the latest available firmware versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, specifically targeting the build numbers mentioned in the advisory. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation and memory management practices within driver components to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for kernel-level components and highlights the need for proper privilege separation within device drivers. Security researchers and organizations should monitor for similar patterns in other device drivers and implement proactive security measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting mobile devices. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce firmware updates and monitor for known vulnerable configurations within their device fleets.