CVE-2016-6770 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Framework API could enable a local malicious application to access system functions beyond its access level. This issue is rated as Moderate because it is a local bypass of restrictions on a constrained process. Product: Android. Versions: 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0. Android ID: A-30202228.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6770 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Android Framework API that allows local malicious applications to bypass system security restrictions and access privileged system functions. This issue affects multiple Android versions including 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, and 7.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the system level where constrained processes are supposed to be restricted from accessing certain privileged operations, yet this flaw enables bypass of those protective mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Android Framework API that govern how applications interact with system resources. When a malicious application attempts to perform operations that should be restricted to system-level processes or privileged components, the flawed API implementation fails to properly validate the requestor's privileges. This creates an exploitable path where local applications can escalate their privileges and gain access to functions that should remain restricted to authorized system components. The vulnerability is classified as a local bypass because it requires the malicious application to already be running on the device, but does not require additional user interaction or external attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android device security as it allows malicious applications to access system functions that could enable further exploitation or data compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive system information, modify system configurations, or escalate their privileges to full system-level access. The impact extends beyond individual device security to potential enterprise risks where compromised devices could serve as entry points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability's classification as Moderate severity reflects the fact that it requires local access but represents a substantial bypass of Android's security model that governs process isolation and privilege separation.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate system tools and APIs to gain elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users may unknowingly install malicious applications that could exploit such flaws to gain unauthorized access to device functions. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, demonstrating how inadequate privilege checking mechanisms can lead to unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should implement robust application security controls, including runtime application self-protection measures and regular security assessments to detect and mitigate such vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigations include applying the latest Android security patches, implementing application sandboxing controls, and conducting thorough security reviews of all applications installed on Android devices to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vulnerability.