CVE-2016-8400 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the NVIDIA librm library (libnvrm) could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it could be used to access sensitive data without permission. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-31251599. References: N-CVE-2016-8400.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8400 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the NVIDIA librm library component of Android systems running kernel version 3.18. This issue resides in the libnvrm library which serves as a core component for managing graphics hardware resources on NVIDIA mobile processors. The vulnerability stems from improper memory access controls and insufficient validation mechanisms within the graphics driver interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that extends beyond normal application permission boundaries. The flaw specifically affects Android devices utilizing NVIDIA Tegra chipsets where the libnvrm library handles low-level graphics memory management and hardware resource allocation. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and leverages the graphics subsystem's privilege escalation capabilities to bypass standard Android security models.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a local malicious application that can manipulate the graphics memory management functions within the libnvrm library. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access memory regions that should be restricted to system-level processes or privileged components, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or confidential application data. The vulnerability manifests when the graphics driver fails to properly validate memory access requests from user-space applications, allowing unauthorized read operations on protected memory segments. This type of flaw falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities where sensitive data becomes accessible to unauthorized entities. The attack vector requires local access to the device and can be executed by a malicious application that has already gained some level of user privileges within the Android environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8400 extends beyond simple data leakage, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the Android security model's ability to maintain proper isolation between application processes and system resources. This vulnerability enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation, including but not limited to device-specific cryptographic material, user authentication tokens, or proprietary application data. The moderate severity rating reflects the fact that while exploitation requires local access, the potential for data compromise is significant enough to warrant immediate attention. The vulnerability affects Android devices with NVIDIA Tegra processors and can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) techniques, as it allows for privilege escalation through graphics driver manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8400 primarily focus on software updates and system hardening measures. Device manufacturers should implement immediate security patches that address the memory validation issues within the libnvrm library and ensure proper access controls for graphics memory operations. Android system administrators should enforce strict application permission controls and monitor for unauthorized graphics driver access patterns. The recommended approach includes updating to kernel versions that contain patched implementations of the NVIDIA graphics driver components, specifically addressing the memory management functions that allow unauthorized data access. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring solutions that detect anomalous memory access patterns and enforcing stricter sandboxing measures for graphics-related operations can help prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary graphics driver features and implementing network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory management practices in kernel-level components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics driver interfaces to prevent similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in the future.