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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8476 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8476 describes a High-severity elevation of privilege flaw in a Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver. Per the published description, a local malicious application could execute arbitrary code in kernel context, and the issue was rated High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. NVD associates the issue with Android and Linux kernel 3.10/3.18, with Android versions up to 7.1.1 listed as vulnerable. For defenders, this is primarily a kernel- and platform-security problem: even though exploitation is local and complex, successful abuse can cross the boundary into kernel execution.

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 device vendors, Linux kernel maintainers, OEM security teams, mobile device fleet operators, and defenders responsible for Qualcomm-based Wi‑Fi stacks or Android builds that include the affected kernel branches.

Technical summary

The source record identifies an elevation of privilege issue in the Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver. The impact described is arbitrary code execution in kernel context from a local malicious application. NVD lists affected CPEs for Android up to 7.1.1 and Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18. NVD also publishes CVSS v3.0 vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (7.0). The Android security bulletin linked in the record is the primary vendor advisory reference for remediation context.

Defensive priority

High for systems that still run affected Android or kernel branches, especially where vendor patches have not been fully applied. The risk is constrained by local access and high attack complexity, but kernel compromise materially increases impact.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm whether any devices or builds use Android versions at or below 7.1.1 or Linux kernel 3.10/3.18 with the affected Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver components.
  • Apply the Android security bulletin guidance and vendor patches referenced by the advisory as soon as practical.
  • Prioritize patch verification for fleets that include Qualcomm-based wireless stacks, not just generic Android OS updates.
  • Reduce local attack surface by limiting installation of untrusted apps and enforcing mobile endpoint hardening controls.
  • If patching is delayed, monitor for unusual privileged-process behavior and kernel-adjacent crashes or instability on affected devices.

Evidence notes

This debrief is based only on the supplied NVD record and linked official advisory. The published date used here is 2017-02-08T15:59:00.487Z. The record cites Android and Linux kernel 3.10/3.18 as affected CPEs, and links the Android security bulletin dated 2017-02-01 for vendor guidance. The description states the flaw is in a Qualcomm Wi‑Fi driver and could lead to kernel-context arbitrary code execution from a local malicious application.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-8476 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8476

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

  • CVE-2016-8476 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8476

    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.