CVE-2016-8454 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Broadcom 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-32174590. References: B-RB#107142.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8454 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it a widespread concern across multiple Android releases. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the wireless driver's kernel-space implementation, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute code with kernel-level permissions. The security implications are particularly severe as it allows local attackers to bypass the traditional security boundaries that separate user-space applications from the privileged kernel environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific flaw in how the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver handles certain input parameters during wireless communication operations. When a malicious application successfully triggers the vulnerable code path, it can manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the highest privilege level available to the system. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation". The vulnerability requires an initial compromise of a privileged process as a prerequisite, making it a sophisticated attack vector that builds upon existing system compromises to achieve deeper system control.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Android devices as it enables attackers to gain complete system control without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially allow full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify system files, install malicious software, or establish persistent access to devices. The requirement for an initial privileged process compromise means that attackers must first gain some level of system access before exploiting this specific vulnerability, but once achieved, the escalation provides complete control over the device's kernel operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8454 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Android devices should be updated with the latest security patches from manufacturers, as this vulnerability was addressed through kernel-level fixes and driver updates. Organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized applications from running with elevated privileges, while also monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security layers such as application whitelisting and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and thorough security testing of kernel drivers, particularly those handling network communications. This issue demonstrates the critical need for robust input validation and memory management in kernel-space components, as well as the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.