CVE-2016-8429 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-32160775. References: N-CVE-2016-8429.
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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 represents a severe threat to device integrity as it provides attackers with complete control over the system's core operations. The Android ID A-32160775 identifies this specific issue within the Android security framework, while the reference to N-CVE-2016-8429 connects it to the broader NVIDIA driver vulnerability landscape. 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the GPU driver's kernel components that handle graphics processing commands and memory management operations. When a malicious application attempts to leverage this flaw, it can manipulate the GPU driver's execution flow to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces and execute privileged operations. The kernel version 3.10 represents a specific target due to its implementation of certain GPU driver interfaces that contain the exploitable code paths. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from the fact that successful exploitation results in permanent device compromise where the attacker can modify system-level components, install persistent backdoors, or disable security features entirely. The need for full system reflash indicates that the compromise extends beyond simple memory corruption and affects core system functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables complete system takeover. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to install rootkits, modify system binaries, or create persistent access mechanisms that survive reboots. The kernel-level execution context means that the malicious code operates with the highest possible privileges, allowing for complete compromise of the device's security model. This vulnerability particularly affects Android devices that utilize NVIDIA Tegra chipsets, making it a significant concern for mobile device security and enterprise mobile device management. The permanent compromise nature of this issue requires complete system restoration through flashing processes, which not only disrupts user experience but also represents a substantial security incident requiring extensive recovery procedures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected NVIDIA GPU drivers through official Android security updates. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the latest security patches from device manufacturers and ensure that all devices running kernel 3.10 receive the appropriate driver updates. Network security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through anomalous GPU driver usage patterns or unusual kernel-level activities. Device manufacturers must implement robust security testing procedures for GPU drivers and maintain updated security patches for older kernel versions. Organizations should consider implementing device hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary GPU functionality, monitoring kernel-level execution, and maintaining regular security audits. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure boot processes and kernel integrity verification mechanisms that can detect unauthorized modifications to critical system components, aligning with both CWE-119 for buffer overflow vulnerabilities and ATT&CK technique T1497 for virtualization and container abuse.