CVE-2016-6777 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-31910462. References: N-CVE-2016-6777.
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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 with kernel-level permissions, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries. The vulnerability represents a severe compromise of the Android security model, as it enables an attacker with limited user-level access to gain complete control over the device's kernel space. This issue was identified through extensive security research and has been classified as having a critical impact due to its potential for permanent device compromise. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security architecture of Android devices that utilize NVIDIA GPU hardware, creating a persistent threat vector that could lead to complete system takeover.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege management within the GPU driver's kernel components. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious applications that trigger specific code paths within the driver, ultimately leading to privilege escalation from user mode to kernel mode execution. The kernel version 3.10 represents a common baseline in Android device implementations, making this vulnerability widespread across numerous device models. The exploitation process typically involves leveraging buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption vulnerabilities within the GPU driver's processing routines. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and kernel exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete device compromise and persistent backdoor access. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can modify system files, install persistent malware, disable security features, and extract sensitive data from the device. The severity classification as critical reflects the fact that such compromises often require complete system reinstallation or hardware-level reflashing to fully remediate. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile devices contain sensitive corporate data, or in consumer devices where personal information is stored. The local nature of the attack means that physical access to the device or the ability to install malicious applications is sufficient to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for mobile security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official Android security updates. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of security patches that address the specific privilege escalation flaws within the kernel components. Organizations should implement robust mobile device management policies that enforce timely security updates and monitor for signs of exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include enabling kernel address space layout randomization, implementing kernel module signing requirements, and conducting regular security audits of device components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper privilege separation in mobile operating systems. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, immediate action is required to protect affected Android devices from potential exploitation by malicious actors.