CVE-2016-8457 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-32219453. References: B-RB#106116.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The CVE-2016-8457 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This vulnerability exists in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, making it particularly concerning as these kernel versions were widely deployed across numerous Android devices. The flaw allows a local malicious application to escalate its privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries. The vulnerability's classification as High severity stems from the requirement for an attacker to first compromise a privileged process, which creates a multi-layered attack vector that can be particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation opportunities exist.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver's handling of certain kernel memory operations and privilege checks. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this flaw, it can manipulate kernel memory structures or function pointers that should normally be protected from user-space access. This manipulation allows the attacker to gain kernel-level privileges, which provides complete control over the device's operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects the driver's interface with the Android kernel, creating a pathway through which unprivileged code can access kernel functions and memory spaces that should remain protected. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and represents a classic example of a kernel-level privilege escalation vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8457 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. Once an attacker gains kernel-level access, they can modify system files, disable security features, install persistent backdoors, and access all user data on the device. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which means that attackers must first gain access to an application that already has elevated privileges or find a way to manipulate the system into granting such privileges. This requirement makes the attack more complex but not impossible, as many Android applications have legitimate access to system resources. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where devices may be compromised through various attack vectors, and once a device is compromised, this vulnerability can be exploited to gain complete system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8457 primarily involve updating the affected Android kernel versions to patched releases that address the privilege escalation flaw in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security updates that include kernel patches specifically targeting this vulnerability. System administrators should ensure that all devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 receive the necessary patches from their respective vendors. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation measures can help reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and implementing device integrity checks to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the Privilege Escalation tactic, specifically focusing on kernel-level privilege escalation techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific flaw, particularly in legacy systems that may not have received the necessary security updates.