CVE-2016-8433 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek 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: N/A. Android ID: A-31750190. References: MT-ALPS02974192.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8433 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within MediaTek driver components that forms a cornerstone of Android device security architecture. This weakness resides in the kernel-level driver code developed by MediaTek, a prominent semiconductor company that provides chipsets for numerous Android smartphones and tablets. The vulnerability's classification as Critical stems from its potential to allow local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing fundamental security boundaries that separate user-space applications from the protected kernel space. The Android ID A-31750190 and reference MT-ALPS02974192 indicate this issue was tracked within MediaTek's internal vulnerability management system and specifically affected their Android-based chipset implementations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent backdoor that could enable complete device compromise, potentially requiring full system reinstallation or reflashing to restore normal operation.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper input validation or memory management within the MediaTek driver code that handles specific kernel operations or device communications. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this vulnerability, it can manipulate kernel data structures or function pointers to redirect execution flow, allowing code execution with kernel-level privileges. This type of vulnerability typically arises from buffer overflow conditions, use-after-free errors, or improper access control mechanisms within driver code that interfaces directly with hardware components. The attack vector requires local execution privileges, meaning a malicious application must already be installed on the device, but once exploited, it can gain complete control over the kernel execution environment. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability likely maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation or CWE-119: Improper Access to Memory, both of which are fundamental weaknesses that enable privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation could potentially allow attackers to modify system binaries, disable security features, or establish persistent rootkits that maintain access even after device reboots.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8433 extends far beyond the immediate technical consequences of privilege escalation. Device owners face the risk of complete system compromise, where attackers can access all stored data, modify system configurations, and potentially install additional malicious components that persist across reboots. The requirement for reflashing the operating system to repair the damage indicates that this vulnerability creates a persistent threat that cannot be resolved through simple application updates or system restarts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for devices that cannot be easily reflashed or where users lack technical expertise in system recovery procedures. The widespread adoption of MediaTek chipsets across various Android device manufacturers means that numerous devices could be potentially affected, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting mobile devices. Organizations and individuals using affected devices face the risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential financial losses if attackers exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive information stored on the devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate protection and long-term security posture improvements. Device manufacturers should implement immediate security patches that correct the underlying driver flaw, typically through kernel updates or driver modifications that address the specific privilege escalation mechanism. Users should ensure their devices receive security updates from manufacturers as quickly as possible, as many MediaTek chipsets were affected across multiple device models and operating system versions. Security researchers and organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their mobile device fleets to identify potentially affected devices and implement additional monitoring measures. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, specifically targeting the kernel execution environment. Network security teams should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should include kernel-level monitoring to detect suspicious privilege escalation activities. Additionally, device manufacturers should improve their security testing processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in driver code before deployment, particularly focusing on memory safety and access control mechanisms that could enable kernel-level exploitation.