CVE-2016-6682 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/misc/qcom/qdsp6v2/audio_utils.c in a Qualcomm QDSP6v2 driver in Android before 2016-10-05 on Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Android One devices does not initialize certain data structures, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 30152501 and Qualcomm internal bug CR 1049615.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6682 resides within the Qualcomm QDSP6v2 driver component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting devices including the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Android One models. This issue stems from insufficient initialization of critical data structures within the audio_utils.c file, which operates within the drivers/misc/qcom/qdsp6v2 directory structure. The flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that arises from improper memory management practices during driver initialization phases.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through uninitialized data structures that retain residual information from previous operations or memory allocations. When the QDSP6v2 audio driver processes requests from applications, it fails to properly initialize certain memory regions before utilizing them, potentially exposing sensitive data that was previously stored in those locations. This includes cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential information that may have resided in the uninitialized memory segments. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Android system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malicious applications without requiring elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to extract sensitive information through crafted applications that can leverage the uninitialized data structures to perform information disclosure attacks. The impact is significant because it affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-10-05 security update, representing a substantial portion of the Android ecosystem at that time. The attack vector requires only a malicious application to be installed on the device, making it particularly concerning from a user privacy and security standpoint. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-457 as "Use of Uninitialized Variable" and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1005 for "Data from Local System" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers may use this information to further compromise systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the driver initialization process that violates secure coding practices recommended by the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards. The QDSP6v2 driver's failure to properly initialize memory structures creates an information leak that can be systematically harvested by malicious applications, potentially exposing device-specific secrets or system configurations. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory management in kernel-level drivers and highlights the risks associated with insufficient input validation and initialization checks in embedded systems. Organizations and users should immediately apply the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain insights into device internals that might be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The flaw also demonstrates how seemingly minor initialization oversights in system drivers can create substantial security implications across entire device fleets, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive security testing of kernel modules and driver components.