CVE-2016-8396 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the MediaTek video driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as High because it could be used to access sensitive data without explicit user permission. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-31249105.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The CVE-2016-8396 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within MediaTek video drivers that operates at the system level to compromise Android device security. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level components responsible for video processing and rendering, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to bypass normal access controls and retrieve data beyond their designated permission boundaries. The flaw exists within the driver's memory management and access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized data access that fundamentally undermines the Android security model's principle of least privilege.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory access control within the MediaTek video driver component. When applications attempt to interact with video processing functionalities, the driver fails to properly validate memory boundaries and access permissions, creating a condition where malicious code can manipulate memory addresses to read sensitive data from other processes or system memory regions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control failures. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the device and typically involves crafting specific video processing commands that trigger the memory corruption behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Android users and organizations relying on mobile device security. A malicious application installed on a compromised device could leverage this flaw to access sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, financial information, and corporate secrets stored in memory spaces belonging to other applications or system processes. The impact extends beyond individual privacy concerns to encompass potential corporate data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized access to protected systems. The vulnerability's high severity rating reflects its ability to bypass standard Android security controls without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for both personal and enterprise environments.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-8396 primarily involve updating device firmware and kernel components to patched versions that address the memory access control flaws in MediaTek video drivers. Device manufacturers must ensure timely deployment of security updates that correct the driver's improper validation mechanisms and implement proper memory boundary checking. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices and establish policies for immediate patch deployment. The remediation process typically involves updating the Android operating system to versions that include patched MediaTek driver components, with specific attention to ensuring that all device variants using MediaTek chipsets receive appropriate security updates. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of supply chain security and the need for comprehensive testing of third-party driver components in mobile operating systems.