CVE-2016-6725 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in the Qualcomm crypto driver in Android before 2016-11-05 could enable a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of remote code execution in the context of the kernel. Android ID: A-30515053. References: Qualcomm QC-CR#1050970.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm crypto driver component of Android operating systems prior to the 2016-11-05 security update, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that allows attackers to gain kernel-level privileges. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the cryptographic driver implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects its potential to compromise entire device systems, as kernel-level execution enables complete system control and data access. This flaw specifically affects devices running Android versions where the Qualcomm crypto driver lacks proper sanitization of input parameters, making it susceptible to buffer overflows and memory corruption attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted inputs sent to the Qualcomm crypto driver interface, which fails to properly validate or sanitize data before processing. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate memory structures within the kernel space, potentially leading to privilege escalation and full system compromise. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation can bypass standard user-space security mechanisms and directly manipulate system resources, making it particularly dangerous for mobile device security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect large-scale deployments where affected Android devices are used in enterprise or government environments. Mobile devices running vulnerable versions become potential entry points for sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to establish persistent backdoors, extract sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The remote nature of the exploit means attackers do not require physical access to devices, enabling large-scale attacks through network-based vectors. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute code with kernel privileges and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, specifically targeting the Android 2016-11-05 update cycle. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure all affected Android devices receive timely security updates, as the vulnerability affects devices across multiple manufacturers that utilize Qualcomm chipsets. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through anomaly detection systems that can identify unusual network traffic patterns associated with cryptographic protocol abuse. Device hardening measures including disabling unnecessary crypto services and implementing network segmentation can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining unpatched devices within their networks, as the kernel-level nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation can occur without user interaction or visible system indicators.