CVE-2016-6775 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-31222873. References: N-CVE-2016-6775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
This critical elevation of privilege vulnerability exists within the NVIDIA GPU driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. The flaw allows a locally malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions, fundamentally compromising the system's security model. The vulnerability represents a severe weakness in the Android security architecture where the GPU driver's privilege boundaries have been improperly enforced, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal user-to-kernel permission checks. The issue is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, meaning that any code executed with elevated privileges can directly manipulate system resources, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device's operating environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege management within the NVIDIA GPU driver's kernel modules. When a malicious application attempts to interact with GPU driver interfaces, the system fails to properly validate the application's privileges or enforce proper access controls, allowing unauthorized code execution in kernel space. This type of flaw typically manifests through improper use of kernel memory management functions, insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters, or flawed privilege checking mechanisms that should prevent user-space processes from gaining kernel-level access. The vulnerability's classification as critical is justified by the complete compromise of device integrity, as kernel-level access enables attackers to modify core system components, disable security features, and potentially install persistent malware that survives device reboots.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a permanent compromise of the device that may require complete system reinstallation or reflashing to resolve properly. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can establish persistent access to the device, potentially enabling surveillance capabilities, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of other system components. The attack surface is particularly concerning for mobile devices where users may unknowingly install malicious applications that leverage this vulnerability to gain root access. The compromise can occur without user interaction, as the malicious application only needs to be installed and executed, making it an ideal attack vector for sophisticated malware that targets Android devices for data theft or surveillance purposes. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and represents a fundamental failure in Android's security model where device-level protection mechanisms are bypassed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official Android updates, as the flaw cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes or user behavior modifications alone. System administrators and device manufacturers must ensure that all affected devices receive timely security patches that properly enforce kernel privilege boundaries and validate all GPU driver interface interactions. The recommended approach involves implementing proper kernel memory protection mechanisms, strengthening input validation procedures, and ensuring that all driver interfaces properly enforce access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security monitoring to detect unauthorized kernel-level activity and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive driver security testing and continuous monitoring of kernel-level components, as it represents a failure in the security model that affects the fundamental integrity of the Android operating system. The flaw demonstrates the critical need for proper privilege separation between user-space applications and kernel-space drivers, as outlined in security standards such as those referenced in CWE categories related to privilege escalation and kernel security.