CVE-2016-8415 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-31750554. References: QC-CR#1079596.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8415 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue manifests in kernel-level code execution capabilities that can be exploited by malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these kernel versions across various Android devices. The flaw operates through a privilege escalation mechanism that allows a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that separate user-space applications from system-level operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first compromising a privileged process, which then serves as a launching point for kernel-level code execution. This approach aligns with common exploitation patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, where adversaries seek to move from user-level to system-level access. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the significant impact potential, as kernel-level execution provides attackers with complete control over device operations, including access to sensitive data, modification of system files, and potential persistence mechanisms. The issue is particularly dangerous because it requires only a compromised privileged process rather than full system compromise, making it more accessible to attackers who have already gained some level of access to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8415 extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect large-scale deployments of Android devices, especially those manufactured by vendors using Qualcomm chipsets. This vulnerability creates a pathway for persistent threats to establish footholds within networked environments, enabling advanced persistent threats to maintain access even after initial compromise. The exploitation chain typically involves leveraging existing user-level privileges to manipulate kernel data structures or function pointers, ultimately leading to privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, highlighting the fundamental security flaws in input handling and memory management within the driver code. Organizations using affected Android devices face significant risk of data breaches, device takeover, and potential network infiltration, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8415 require immediate patching of affected kernel versions through security updates provided by device manufacturers and Google. System administrators should prioritize updating devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 to patched versions that address the underlying memory management flaws in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish robust device management policies that enforce timely security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure driver development practices and proper input validation in kernel-level code, as outlined in industry security standards and best practices. Device manufacturers should conduct thorough security reviews of their kernel components and implement defense-in-depth strategies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future releases. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be integrated into device lifecycle management to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.