CVE-2016-6719 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Bluetooth component 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 enable a local malicious application to pair with any Bluetooth device without user consent. 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-29043989.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6719 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Bluetooth subsystem of various Android versions, specifically affecting releases from Android 4.x through 7.0 before certain security patches were applied. This issue stems from a fundamental weakness in the Bluetooth pairing mechanism that allows local malicious applications to establish connections with arbitrary Bluetooth devices without requiring user consent or interaction. The flaw operates at the system level where Bluetooth pairing protocols fail to properly validate user authorization, creating an unauthorized access vector that bypasses normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of user consent during Bluetooth pairing operations within the Android framework. When a malicious application attempts to pair with a Bluetooth device, the system should normally require explicit user confirmation through a dialog or similar interface element. However, this vulnerability allows the pairing process to proceed automatically, effectively enabling the malicious application to gain elevated privileges by establishing unauthorized connections that would typically require user intervention. This bypass mechanism operates at the kernel or system service level where Bluetooth stack components interact with the Android permission model, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized Bluetooth connections, as it enables a malicious application to potentially access sensitive system resources and data that would normally be protected from local applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent Bluetooth connections, potentially facilitating data exfiltration, device control, or further exploitation of other system vulnerabilities. The local nature of the attack means that no network connectivity or external user interaction is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through seemingly benign applications that may be installed on a device. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model by undermining the principle of least privilege and user consent, creating a persistent backdoor that could be exploited for extended periods.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1068 privilege escalation through local exploitation and T1059 command and control through Bluetooth-based communication channels. The issue affects multiple Android versions and represents a widespread problem that could be exploited across numerous devices, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking scalable attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of affected Android versions, enforcement of strict application permission controls, and monitoring for unauthorized Bluetooth pairing activities. The Android security team identified this as a moderate severity issue due to its local nature and bypass of user interaction requirements, but the potential for escalation makes it a critical concern for device security and privacy protection.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and user consent mechanisms in mobile operating systems, particularly within system-level components that handle sensitive hardware interfaces. It highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of inter-component communications and the enforcement of security boundaries even within trusted application environments. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls including Bluetooth device whitelisting, enhanced application sandboxing, and regular security audits of system components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of delayed remediation in mobile security environments.