CVE-2016-6789 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the NVIDIA libomx library (libnvomx) 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-3.18. Android ID: A-31251973. References: N-CVE-2016-6789.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6789 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the NVIDIA libomx library component known as libnvomx. This library serves as a crucial interface for multimedia processing operations within Android devices that utilize NVIDIA hardware acceleration. The vulnerability specifically affects Android systems running kernel version 3.18 and is catalogued under Android ID A-31251973. The flaw resides in how the library handles certain memory operations and privilege management during multimedia processing tasks, creating an exploitable condition that allows local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code within the context of privileged system processes.
This vulnerability operates through a memory corruption issue that manifests when the libnvomx library processes certain multimedia data streams. The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the OMX (OpenMAX) component architecture, which is designed to provide standardized multimedia processing capabilities across different platforms. When a malicious application invokes specific OMX functions through the vulnerable library, it can manipulate memory structures in a way that bypasses normal privilege checks. This creates a pathway for code execution at a higher privilege level than originally intended, effectively allowing the malicious application to gain access to system-level capabilities that should remain restricted to trusted system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6789 is significant within the Android security landscape, as it directly undermines the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of mobile operating system security models. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially gain access to sensitive system functions including direct memory access, kernel module interactions, and privileged file operations. The threat is particularly concerning because it requires only local execution privileges, meaning a malicious application already present on the device can leverage this flaw to escalate its capabilities without requiring additional attack vectors or user interaction. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation through system-level vulnerabilities, and maps to CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists at the system library level and cannot be addressed through application-level security measures alone. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected Android devices receive the necessary updates from NVIDIA and respective device manufacturers. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in system-level libraries and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party components integrated into mobile operating systems. Device security teams should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other multimedia processing libraries and consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The issue demonstrates the critical nature of maintaining secure system libraries and the potential consequences when privilege management fails in core operating system components.
This vulnerability serves as a prime example of how multimedia processing libraries can become attack surfaces for privilege escalation attacks, particularly in mobile environments where hardware acceleration components often operate with elevated privileges. The flaw's classification as high severity reflects its potential for enabling complete system compromise when exploited by malicious applications, making it a critical concern for mobile security professionals and device manufacturers. The vulnerability also illustrates the importance of maintaining security in hardware-accelerated components and the need for comprehensive security testing of all system-level libraries that interface with privileged operations.