CVE-2016-8427 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-31799885. References: N-CVE-2016-8427.
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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 compromising the entire system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the GPU driver's kernel modules, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses standard Android security mechanisms. Such a flaw represents a severe threat to device integrity since it enables attackers to gain root access without requiring physical device access or external exploitation vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific flaw in how the NVIDIA GPU driver handles certain kernel-level operations and memory allocations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the GPU driver's privileged execution context to manipulate kernel memory structures. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with complete control over system resources, including the ability to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, and access all user data without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a permanent compromise of the device that may necessitate complete system reinstallation or reflashing. Once exploited, the malicious application can maintain persistence across reboots and potentially modify system-level components that are normally protected from modification. This level of compromise undermines the fundamental security model of Android systems and represents a critical failure in the security architecture. The vulnerability affects all Android devices that utilize NVIDIA GPU drivers in kernel 3.10 environments, making it particularly widespread across various device manufacturers and models.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official Android security updates. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deployment of the patched drivers as a critical security measure. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and behavioral analysis can help detect anomalous GPU driver usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary GPU functionality for applications that do not require graphics processing, implementing proper code signing requirements for GPU driver modules, and establishing robust kernel memory protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.