CVE-2016-8430 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-32225180. References: N-CVE-2016-8430.
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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 locally 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 insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the GPU driver's kernel space implementation, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that could lead to complete system compromise. The Android ID A-32225180 identifies this specific issue within the Android security framework, while the reference to N-CVE-2016-8430 links it to the broader NVIDIA security advisory ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management in kernel modules, and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking within driver code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the GPU driver's kernel interfaces to gain elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system files, disable security features, or establish persistent backdoors. The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with unprecedented access to system resources, memory, and hardware components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for mobile devices where GPU acceleration is commonly used for graphics rendering and multimedia processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical application-level exploits, as it can result in permanent device compromise requiring full system reinstallation or reflashing to remediate. This severity classification reflects the potential for attackers to maintain persistent access to compromised devices, monitor user activities, steal sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The local nature of the attack means that any application with sufficient privileges to access the GPU driver interface can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications are running with varying permission levels. The vulnerability affects Android devices that utilize NVIDIA GPU hardware, creating a widespread impact across various mobile platforms and device manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected NVIDIA GPU drivers and kernel components through official Android security updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure timely deployment of security patches and monitor for signs of exploitation attempts. The recommended approach involves applying the latest NVIDIA driver updates that address the privilege escalation flaw, while also implementing runtime monitoring to detect suspicious kernel-level activities. Additionally, device administrators should consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege restriction policies to limit the potential impact of compromised applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date device firmware and kernel components, as the exploitation of such kernel-level flaws can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically targeting kernel-level access and system integrity, making it a high-priority concern for mobile security teams and enterprise device management programs.