CVE-2016-8475 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the HTC input driver could enable a local malicious application to access data outside of its permission levels. This issue is rated as Moderate because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32591129.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8475 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Android kernel's HTC input driver implementation. This weakness resides in the kernel-level device driver responsible for handling input events from various hardware components including touchscreens, keyboards, and other input peripherals. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the input driver's kernel module, which fails to adequately enforce permission boundaries when processing input data. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that should normally be restricted to specific privileged processes or applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and demonstrates a classic case of insufficient privilege checking within kernel space components. The HTC input driver operates at a privileged kernel level where it maintains direct hardware access and processes input events from multiple sources. When a malicious application successfully compromises a privileged process, it can leverage this vulnerability to traverse the normal security boundaries that typically protect sensitive data within the kernel space. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access that extends beyond the application's intended permission scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given its classification as moderate severity, which indicates that while it requires initial compromise of a privileged process, the potential for data exposure remains substantial. The vulnerability affects Android devices running kernel version 3.18, which was prevalent in numerous HTC devices and other Android-based platforms during that time period. Once exploited, the flaw could potentially allow access to sensitive user data, device configuration information, or even other applications' memory spaces that should remain isolated. The attack vector typically involves a local malicious application that first gains elevated privileges through another vulnerability or attack method, then utilizes this input driver flaw to access restricted data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8475 primarily focus on addressing the underlying kernel-level access control issues within the HTC input driver. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant kernel security patches that fix the improper permission handling within the input driver module. Additionally, implementing proper kernel module access controls and enhancing the privilege separation mechanisms within the input subsystem can help prevent unauthorized data access. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and following secure coding practices for kernel drivers, particularly those handling sensitive input data. Organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security implications when kernel-level drivers fail to properly enforce access control policies, making it essential to maintain robust security measures at all system layers including the kernel space where such fundamental security controls operate. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique where adversaries leverage kernel vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to system resources, emphasizing the need for comprehensive kernel security hardening measures.