CVE-2016-8419 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-32454494. References: QC-CR#1087209.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-8419 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. This issue stems from a fundamental weakness in how the driver handles certain kernel-level operations, creating a pathway for local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code with kernel-level integrity. The vulnerability is classified as High severity because it requires initial compromise of a privileged process, but once achieved, it provides attackers with unprecedented system control capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver's kernel module that allows for improper memory management or privilege checking during specific driver operations. When a malicious application successfully compromises a privileged process, it can leverage this weakness to manipulate kernel memory structures or bypass existing security mechanisms. The flaw typically manifests through improper input validation or insufficient access controls within the driver's kernel interface, enabling privilege escalation through kernel code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-269, which specifically addresses improper privilege management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to gain root access to affected Android devices. Once exploited, the malicious application can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects devices running Android with kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, which were widely deployed across various Qualcomm-based smartphones and tablets. This creates a substantial attack surface since these kernel versions were prevalent in many Android devices released between 2014 and 2016, making the exploit applicable to a significant number of affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver components and kernel updates to address the privilege escalation flaw. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of security patches that correct the improper privilege handling within the driver module. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help reduce exploit reliability. Device users should ensure their systems are updated with the latest security patches from their manufacturers, as Qualcomm released fixes for this specific vulnerability. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and implementing application sandboxing to limit the potential impact of compromised privileged processes. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected kernel versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.