CVE-2016-8450 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm sound 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: Kernel-3.10. Android ID: A-32450563. References: QC-CR#880388.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
This vulnerability resides within the Qualcomm sound driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.10, representing a critical elevation of privilege flaw that allows local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the audio driver subsystem, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that operates at the kernel level. The vulnerability requires initial compromise of a privileged process as a prerequisite, which aligns with the high severity rating as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that builds upon existing compromise rather than standing alone. The Android ID A-32450563 and Qualcomm reference QC-CR#880388 indicate this was properly tracked and addressed through the Android security framework and Qualcomm's internal vulnerability management processes. The technical flaw manifests in the sound driver's failure to properly validate input parameters during audio processing operations, potentially allowing malicious input to overwrite kernel memory structures or manipulate execution flow. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are common in kernel drivers where memory management is critical. The operational impact is severe as it enables attackers who have already compromised a privileged process to gain full kernel control, potentially allowing them to bypass Android's security model entirely. The attack surface extends to any application that can interact with the audio subsystem, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications have access to audio APIs. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as privilege escalation technique T1068, specifically targeting kernel-level privileges through driver exploitation methods. The security implications extend beyond immediate code execution as it can enable attackers to modify system files, disable security features, or establish persistent backdoors within the kernel space. The remediation process involves updating the Qualcomm sound driver components and applying the appropriate kernel patches, requiring both vendor-level fixes and system-level updates to fully address the vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to Android device security, particularly in enterprise environments where device integrity is paramount. The vulnerability's classification as high severity indicates that it requires immediate attention from security teams and system administrators to prevent potential exploitation by sophisticated threat actors. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of secure driver development practices and proper input validation in kernel-level components, as these elements form the foundation of system security. The attack scenario typically involves a malicious application already running with elevated privileges that can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete system control through kernel-level code execution.