CVE-2016-8465 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 Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process and is mitigated by current platform configurations. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32474971. References: B-RB#106053.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8465 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, creating a pathway for malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability resides in the wireless driver implementation, specifically within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver that handles network communication protocols and hardware interactions. The flaw manifests when a local malicious application can exploit a weakness in the driver's privilege handling mechanisms, potentially allowing unauthorized code execution at the most privileged system level.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls within software systems. The flaw enables a local attacker to escalate their privileges from user-level to kernel-level execution, bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect system integrity. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or when there are insufficient checks on memory access patterns during wireless communication processing. The attack vector requires the malicious application to first establish a foothold within the system, as the vulnerability itself is not directly exploitable from external network sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8465 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the Android platform. Once exploited, the malicious application gains complete control over the device's kernel, enabling it to modify system files, access all user data, disable security features, and potentially install persistent backdoors. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the core security architecture that separates user applications from system-level operations. The vulnerability's moderate rating reflects the requirement for an initial compromise of a privileged process, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the overall threat level given the potential for complete system takeover.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve patching the affected Broadcom Wi-Fi driver components and ensuring timely updates to kernel versions. Android platform configurations typically include various security measures such as SELinux policies and privilege separation mechanisms that provide additional protection layers. However, the vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system components, as the flaw exists in widely deployed kernel versions that were common during the affected time period. The mitigation strategy also emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of device driver components, particularly those handling network communications and hardware interactions, as these components often represent attack surfaces with high privilege levels and direct access to critical system resources.