CVE-2016-8477 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm camera 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-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-32720522. References: QC-CR#1090007.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-8477 represents a significant information disclosure weakness within Qualcomm's camera driver implementation that exists in Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. This flaw operates at the system level within the Android operating environment and specifically targets the privilege separation mechanisms that are fundamental to Android's security architecture. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the camera driver component, which allows for unauthorized data access through improper permission handling. The issue manifests when a local malicious application attempts to exploit the driver's insufficient validation mechanisms, potentially enabling it to read data that should be restricted to higher-privilege processes or system components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and more specifically aligns with CWE-264, "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls." The flaw operates by bypassing the normal Android security model where applications are sandboxed and restricted to their designated permission levels. When a malicious application successfully exploits this vulnerability, it can potentially access sensitive data that would normally be protected by the kernel's privilege separation mechanisms. The exploitation requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, which aligns with the Moderate severity rating, as it does not allow for direct elevation of privileges but rather enables unauthorized data access within the existing privilege boundaries. The vulnerability affects the camera driver's memory management and access control implementation, creating a pathway for information disclosure that could expose user data, system information, or other sensitive resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8477 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks that could lead to further privilege escalation or data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather information about other running processes, access camera-related data, or potentially extract sensitive configuration information that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects Android devices that utilize Qualcomm's camera driver implementations and is particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications are running with varying levels of system access. The attack surface is limited to local applications that can successfully compromise a privileged process, but this still represents a significant security gap in Android's sandboxing model. The vulnerability's presence in kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18 indicates it was present in a substantial portion of Android devices released during that timeframe, making it a widespread concern for device security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach that addresses both immediate system protection and long-term security enhancements. The primary recommendation involves updating affected devices to newer kernel versions that contain patches for the camera driver's access control mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict application permission controls and monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The Android security model should be reinforced through proper privilege separation and memory protection mechanisms. Additionally, device manufacturers should conduct thorough security assessments of their camera driver implementations to identify similar access control weaknesses. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential data exfiltration attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically for information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security frameworks that align with industry standards such as those defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other system components that may present analogous access control weaknesses.