CVE-2016-6727 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Qualcomm GPS subsystem in Android on Android One devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6727 resides within the Qualcomm GPS subsystem component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android One devices that were manufactured with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution attacks, potentially allowing malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over affected devices without physical access or user interaction. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the GPS daemon process that processes location data from various sources including satellite signals, network triangulation, and cellular positioning information.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the Qualcomm GPS driver implementation. When the system processes GPS data packets or location-related commands, the underlying code fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming data structures, creating potential buffer overflow conditions. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the Qualcomm proprietary GPS subsystem, which interfaces directly with the Android framework through standard system calls and inter-process communication mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the GPS service receives malformed data from external sources such as malicious GPS satellites, compromised network services, or spoofed location data, allowing attackers to craft specific payloads that trigger the buffer overflow and subsequently execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected Android One devices. Once exploited, adversaries can install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, monitor communications, modify system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges to gain root access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because GPS functionality is constantly active on mobile devices, making exploitation opportunities frequent and persistent. This vulnerability affects devices that rely on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and their associated GPS implementations, creating a widespread impact across multiple Android One models and potentially other devices utilizing the same Qualcomm GPS subsystem. The continuous operation of GPS services in the background means that users are constantly exposed to potential exploitation without any user intervention required, making this a particularly dangerous flaw from a threat modeling perspective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6727 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm released patches addressing the specific buffer overflow conditions in their GPS subsystem implementations. Organizations should implement network-based monitoring to detect anomalous GPS data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also considering device lockdown procedures that restrict GPS functionality in high-risk environments. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their mobile device management systems to identify affected devices and ensure timely patch deployment. The mitigation approach aligns with defensive techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Execution' and 'Privilege Escalation' domains, where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Compliance with industry standards such as CWE-129 and CWE-787, which address improper input validation and buffer overflow conditions respectively, should guide the remediation efforts. Device manufacturers must also implement proper code review processes and security testing procedures for embedded subsystems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.