CVE-2016-8447 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in MediaTek components, including the thermal driver and video driver, could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-31749463. References: MT-ALPS02968886.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8447 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within MediaTek-based Android devices, specifically targeting kernel-level components including thermal and video drivers. This vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the hardware abstraction layer that connects proprietary MediaTek components with the Android operating system, creating a pathway for malicious applications to gain unauthorized kernel-level access. The issue manifests through the exploitation of insufficient input validation and improper privilege management within the MediaTek driver implementations, which form part of the Android system's core functionality. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement to first compromise a privileged process, indicating that attackers must already have some level of system access before exploiting this specific weakness, though the subsequent privilege escalation remains severe.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of driver interfaces that handle thermal management and video processing functions within the MediaTek chipsets. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious applications that interact with the vulnerable kernel drivers, potentially triggering buffer overflows, memory corruption, or improper access control mechanisms within these components. The kernel-level execution context provides attackers with unprecedented system control, enabling them to bypass standard Android security boundaries and execute arbitrary code with the highest privileges available to the system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically targeting the improper handling of kernel-level access controls in mobile device architectures. The exploitation process typically involves leveraging existing system processes that have elevated privileges, then using the driver vulnerability to escalate those privileges to full kernel access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8447 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of MediaTek-based Android devices. Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive user data, and potentially disable security features entirely. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions where MediaTek chipsets are integrated, creating widespread exposure across numerous device models from various manufacturers who utilize MediaTek hardware components. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain system-level access, and T1059, covering the execution of malicious code through system processes. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that MediaTek chipsets are widely used in Android devices, meaning the attack surface encompasses millions of potentially vulnerable devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8447 require both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Device manufacturers must prioritize the deployment of security patches that address the specific driver implementations within MediaTek components, particularly focusing on the thermal and video driver modules. Users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from manufacturers, as these patches typically include kernel-level fixes that close the privilege escalation pathways. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure driver development practices and proper input validation within hardware abstraction layers, as outlined in industry standards for mobile security. Organizations should implement robust mobile device management protocols that monitor for vulnerable device configurations and ensure that all system components receive regular security updates. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity for comprehensive security testing of hardware-software integration points, particularly in the kernel-level interfaces that connect proprietary components with operating system functionality, as recommended by security frameworks such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for mobile device security.