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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8421 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8421 is a high-severity elevation-of-privilege issue affecting Android systems that use the Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver. NVD and the Android security bulletin describe impact on Android kernel 3.10 and 3.18, with the potential for kernel-context code execution from a local attack path.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-08
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-08
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Android OEMs and device maintainers, kernel and driver teams, enterprise mobile security operators, and anyone responsible for Android fleets that may include vendor kernels or Qualcomm Wi‑Fi components.

Technical summary

The supplied CVE description says a local malicious application could reach arbitrary code execution in kernel context through the Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver, and that the issue first requires compromising a privileged process. NVD classifies the issue with CVSS 3.0 AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H and lists affected Android versions up to 7.1.1, plus Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18 CPEs. The weakness is mapped to CWE-264 in the supplied record.

Defensive priority

High for affected Android device fleets and kernel maintenance, but not an internet-wide emergency: the attack is local, has high complexity, and is not listed in KEV in the supplied data.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm whether any supported Android builds, OEM images, or vendor-derived kernels include the affected Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver path referenced by the bulletin.
  • Apply the Android security bulletin for 2017-02-01 and any OEM updates that incorporate the fix.
  • Prioritize remediation for devices running Android 7.1.1 or earlier and for fleets that depend on kernel 3.10 or 3.18 builds.
  • After updating, validate Wi‑Fi stability and kernel behavior, and monitor for unexpected crashes or signs of local privilege escalation attempts.
  • Reduce exposure from untrusted apps and enforce mobile application controls while updates are being rolled out.

Evidence notes

The supplied NVD record states the CVE is associated with Android, Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18 CPEs, and Android versions through 7.1.1. The Android vendor advisory is dated 2017-02-01, and the CVE record was published on 2017-02-08 and modified on 2026-05-13. References in the corpus include SecurityFocus BID 96047 and SecurityTracker 1037798. No KEV listing or ransomware association is present in the supplied enrichment.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-8421 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8421

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2016-8421 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8421

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.