CVE-2016-6758 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm media codecs could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to gain local access to elevated capabilities, which are not normally accessible to a third-party application. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-30148882. References: QC-CR#1071731.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6758 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's media codec implementation that affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. This vulnerability resides in the underlying media processing components that handle audio and video decoding operations, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code with the elevated permissions of system processes. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Qualcomm multimedia subsystem, specifically in how the media codecs process data streams and manage memory allocations during decoding operations. The vulnerability is classified as High severity because it allows a local malicious application to bypass normal security boundaries and gain access to privileged system capabilities that should remain restricted to trusted system components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of media codec parameters and data structures that are processed by the Qualcomm multimedia driver. When a malicious application submits specially crafted media files or data streams to the affected codecs, the improper validation allows for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of privileged processes. This typically involves buffer overflow conditions or use-after-free scenarios where the codec's memory management routines fail to properly validate input data before processing. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where the media codecs are integrated, allowing attackers to gain access to system-level privileges and potentially compromise the entire device. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-119 which addresses improper access to memory locations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" through kernel exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6758 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the device's functionality. This includes the ability to modify system files, install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all Android devices that utilize Qualcomm chipsets and run kernel versions 3.10 or 3.18, making it widespread across numerous device models and manufacturers. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors including malicious media files delivered via email attachments, compromised websites, or infected applications downloaded from third-party stores. The exploit requires local access to the device but does not require network connectivity or user interaction beyond the initial execution of the malicious application. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise security and user privacy, as it allows for complete device compromise without requiring user interaction or network-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6758 primarily involve applying security patches and updates provided by device manufacturers and Google. The most effective approach is to ensure that devices are running the latest security updates that include fixes for the Qualcomm media codec vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement strict application vetting processes and avoid installation of third-party applications from untrusted sources. Device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor and control application behavior. The vulnerability can also be addressed through kernel-level security hardening measures such as enabling kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the media processing subsystem. Organizations should also maintain awareness of the ATT&CK framework's guidance on kernel-level exploitation techniques and implement appropriate network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix for this vulnerability required Qualcomm to implement proper input validation and memory management within their media codec implementations, addressing the underlying CWE-119 issues that allowed for memory corruption and privilege escalation.