CVE-2016-6776 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-31680980. References: N-CVE-2016-6776.
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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 local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing the operating system's security model. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling mechanisms within the GPU driver's kernel modules, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution at the most privileged level of the system. The Android ID A-31680980 identifies this specific issue within the Android security framework, highlighting its significance in mobile device security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in how the NVIDIA GPU driver processes certain input parameters or system calls from user-space applications. When a malicious application attempts to interact with GPU driver functions, the kernel module fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data, allowing crafted payloads to manipulate kernel memory structures or function pointers. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack vector requires local access to the device since the vulnerability exists within the kernel driver rather than in a network-facing service, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might install untrusted applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a complete compromise of the device's security model. Once exploited, the malicious application gains full control over the kernel, enabling it to modify system files, disable security features, install rootkits, or extract sensitive data from the device. The severity classification as Critical reflects the fact that this vulnerability can lead to permanent device compromise, requiring complete system reinstallation or reflashing to restore proper functionality. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, monitor user activities, or steal cryptographic keys and personal information stored on the device. The risk is particularly elevated in mobile environments where users frequently install third-party applications from untrusted sources, creating numerous potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action through official security updates from device manufacturers and Google. System administrators and users should ensure that all Android devices running kernel 3.10 receive the relevant security patches that address the NVIDIA GPU driver flaw. The recommended approach involves applying the latest Android security updates that contain fixes for the GPU driver component, which typically include proper input validation routines and privilege checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious kernel-level activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as privilege escalation through kernel exploits and persistence mechanisms, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure driver development practices and comprehensive security testing of kernel modules to prevent such critical flaws from being exploited in real-world scenarios.