CVE-2016-8775 in NEM
Summary
by MITRE
Touch Panel (TP) driver in Huawei NEM phones with software Versions before NEM-AL10C00B130, Versions before NEM-UL10C17B160, Versions before NEM-UL10C00B160, Versions before NEM-TL00C01B160 allows attackers to get root privilege or crash the system or execute arbitrary code, related to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8775 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Touch Panel driver component of Huawei NEM series smartphones. This issue affects multiple software versions including NEM-AL10C00B130, NEM-UL10C17B160, NEM-UL10C00B160, and NEM-TL00C01B160, creating a widespread security risk across affected device models. The touch panel driver serves as a fundamental system component that interfaces between hardware touch sensors and the operating system, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input data from touch events, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory structures through crafted touch inputs.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Android operating system framework, where the touch panel driver executes with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level operations. The technical flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking in the driver's input processing functions, specifically when handling touch coordinate data and event sequences. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted touch events that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how device drivers can serve as attack vectors for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation enables unauthorized users to gain root access, install malicious applications, modify system files, and potentially extract sensitive user data. The crash potential represents a denial-of-service threat that could render devices unusable, while the arbitrary code execution capability allows for persistent backdoor installation and advanced persistent threat deployment. This vulnerability affects the device's integrity and availability, creating a comprehensive security breach that undermines the fundamental trust model of the mobile platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8775 require immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the buffer overflow in the touch panel driver component. Organizations should implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious touch event patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Device administrators should enforce strict application permissions and regularly audit system logs for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in device drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation mechanisms. Security teams should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically patch vulnerable devices and monitor for exploitation indicators. This case study emphasizes the critical role of driver security in mobile platforms and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when input validation fails in kernel-level components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation.