CVE-2016-8424 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the NVIDIA GPU driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-31606947. References: N-CVE-2016-8424.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
This critical elevation of privilege vulnerability exists within the NVIDIA GPU driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10. The flaw allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the GPU driver's kernel modules, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution that operates at the most privileged level of the system. Such a vulnerability represents a severe threat to device integrity and user data confidentiality.
The technical nature of this flaw involves a privilege escalation mechanism that exploits weaknesses in the GPU driver's implementation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root access to the device, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent malware, or extract sensitive information from the device's memory. The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with complete control over the device's hardware resources, including the ability to manipulate graphics processing units and access low-level system functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes improper privilege management issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how driver-level flaws can create persistent backdoors for attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete device compromise and potential data loss. Once exploited, the malicious application can maintain persistence across reboots and may be difficult to detect through standard security monitoring tools. The requirement for system reflash to repair the damage indicates the severity of the compromise, as attackers could potentially install rootkits or other persistent malware that survives normal system updates. This vulnerability affects Android devices where NVIDIA GPU drivers are implemented, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices that rely heavily on GPU acceleration for graphics rendering and multimedia processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of security patches provided by NVIDIA and device manufacturers, along with implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and code integrity checks. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary GPU driver functionalities and implementing strict application sandboxing policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of driver security in mobile platforms and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel activity and establish incident response procedures specifically designed for kernel-level compromises. Regular security assessments of device drivers and firmware components remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.