CVE-2016-8466 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-31822524. References: B-RB#105268.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-8466 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This issue resides in the kernel-level driver code that manages wireless network communications, creating a potential pathway for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions running on kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18, which were prevalent during the mid-2010s period when this flaw was discovered. The Broadcom Wi-Fi driver serves as a crucial interface between the hardware and the operating system, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit kernel-level weaknesses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the Wi-Fi driver's kernel code. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the driver through specific API calls or data structures, it can trigger a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition that allows arbitrary code execution in kernel space. This type of flaw typically manifests when the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize data received from user-space applications before processing it within kernel context. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires a local malicious application to first establish a foothold on the device, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution within kernel context, as it enables attackers to bypass critical security mechanisms such as SELinux policies and other mandatory access controls. Once the kernel-level code execution is achieved, the malicious application gains complete control over the device's wireless subsystem and potentially access to all system resources that the kernel can manage. This creates a significant risk for data confidentiality and system integrity, as attackers can modify system files, extract sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's moderate rating reflects the requirement for an initial compromise of a privileged process, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation. The current platform configurations and security mitigations in place at the time of discovery provided some protection, but the underlying flaw remained exploitable.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on software updates and driver patching, as the fundamental issue exists within the kernel driver code itself. Android security patches released by Google addressed this specific flaw through modifications to the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver implementation, including enhanced input validation and memory management routines. System administrators should ensure that all devices are updated to the latest security patches available from their respective vendors, as this vulnerability could be exploited by malware that gains access to the device through other attack vectors. The implementation of additional security measures such as kernel address space layout randomization KASLR and stack canaries can provide further protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual network activity or unauthorized driver modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for kernel-level components and highlights the need for robust driver validation mechanisms in mobile operating systems.