CVE-2016-8452 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi 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, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32506396. References: QC-CR#1050323.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The CVE-2016-8452 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's Wi-Fi driver implementation that operates at the kernel level on Android devices. This vulnerability specifically affects Android systems running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it a widespread concern across numerous Android devices manufactured by various vendors. The flaw stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the wireless driver component, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to kernel-level operations. The vulnerability's classification as High severity reflects the substantial risk it poses to system integrity, as exploitation requires compromising a privileged process first, but once achieved, provides complete control over the device's core operating system functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific flaw in how the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver handles certain input parameters during wireless communication operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that trigger improper memory handling within the driver's kernel space execution context. The vulnerability manifests when the driver fails to properly validate user-supplied data before processing it within kernel memory regions, creating potential for memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes a condition where data is written to a buffer that is insufficiently protected against overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack vector requires a malicious application to first establish a foothold within the system, typically through a compromised privileged process, before leveraging the driver vulnerability to gain kernel-level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8452 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of Android devices by allowing attackers to bypass kernel-level protections. Once exploited, malicious actors can manipulate core system functions including file system access, network communication controls, and device configuration settings without detection. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security isolation between user applications and system-level operations, enabling persistent backdoor access and data exfiltration capabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects the wireless communication stack, which is continuously active on mobile devices, making exploitation more likely and harder to detect. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and potentially T1068, which involves local privilege escalation using kernel vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8452 require immediate system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists within the kernel driver level where user-space mitigations prove ineffective. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce timely security updates and monitor for signs of exploitation attempts. The patching process typically involves updating the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component to versions that properly validate input parameters and address the memory handling flaws. System administrators should also deploy network monitoring tools capable of detecting anomalous wireless communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from running with elevated privileges, and conducting regular security assessments of device configurations to identify potential compromise vectors. Given the nature of this vulnerability, a layered security approach combining patch management, behavioral monitoring, and device hardening measures provides the most effective defense against exploitation attempts.