CVE-2016-6715 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Framework APIs in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x before 2016-11-01, and 7.0 before 2016-11-01 could allow a local malicious application to record audio without the user's permission. This issue is rated as Moderate because it is a local bypass of user interaction requirements (access to functionality that would normally require either user initiation or user permission.) Android ID: A-29833954.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
This vulnerability exists within the Android framework APIs and represents a significant security flaw that allows local malicious applications to bypass user permission requirements for audio recording functionality. The issue affects multiple Android versions including 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x before the specified date, and 7.0 before the specified date. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the system's audio recording APIs, enabling unauthorized applications to capture audio without explicit user consent or permission prompts. This represents a clear violation of user privacy and system security principles, as the normal permission model that requires user interaction for sensitive audio access has been circumvented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploiting weaknesses in the Android framework's permission checking mechanisms for audio recording capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to develop malicious applications that silently record audio in the background, potentially capturing sensitive conversations, passwords, or other confidential information without users being aware of the recording activity. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue because it allows a malicious application with limited permissions to gain elevated access to audio recording functionality that would normally require explicit user permission or system-level authorization. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-276, which describes improper privileges, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it creates a persistent surveillance capability for malicious applications within the Android ecosystem. Users are unaware that their audio environment is being monitored, potentially leading to privacy violations, corporate espionage, or personal data theft. The vulnerability's moderate rating reflects that it requires local access and cannot be exploited remotely, but it still represents a significant bypass of expected security controls. Organizations should be particularly concerned as this vulnerability could be exploited by malware that gains access to user devices through other attack vectors, creating a persistent surveillance capability. The affected versions span several major Android releases, indicating this was a widespread issue that required comprehensive patching across the platform. System administrators and security teams must ensure that all affected devices are updated promptly to prevent exploitation, as this vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model that protects user privacy and device integrity.