CVE-2016-8431 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-3.18. Android ID: A-32402179. References: N-CVE-2016-8431.
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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 3.18. The flaw allows a locally malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions, fundamentally compromising the system's security model. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the GPU driver's kernel components, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses standard Android security mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in the GPU driver's handling of user-space memory references during graphics processing operations. Attackers can craft specific GPU commands that trigger buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption within the kernel space, enabling them to manipulate kernel data structures and execute malicious code with the highest system privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory handling that can lead to buffer overflows and privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially permanent, as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the device's kernel execution environment. Once exploited, the malicious application can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, disable security features, and potentially render the device unusable without complete system reinstallation. The Android ID A-32402179 indicates this vulnerability affects multiple device models and is particularly concerning because it requires reflashing the operating system to fully remediate the compromise, making it a significant threat to device integrity.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of privilege escalation to gain system-level access. The exploitation process typically involves initial access through a malicious application, followed by kernel-level privilege escalation using the GPU driver flaw. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate GPU functionality to achieve malicious objectives, making detection challenging for traditional security solutions that may not monitor GPU driver behavior. Organizations and users must implement immediate mitigations including driver updates, kernel hardening measures, and application sandboxing to protect against exploitation attempts that could lead to complete device compromise and data loss.