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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8481 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2016-8481 is a High-severity elevation-of-privilege flaw in the Qualcomm sound driver path used by Android/Linux kernel builds. The supplied description says a local malicious app could execute arbitrary code in kernel context, and that the issue is rated High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. NVD classifies the issue as CVSS 7.0 with local attack characteristics and user interaction required, and the affected versions in the supplied corpus include Android builds up to 7.1.1 plus Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18.

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 platform owners, device OEMs, kernel maintainers, and enterprise teams managing Android fleets should care most. Any environment running affected Android builds or kernels should treat this as a priority patch item because the impact reaches kernel-level execution.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is described as an elevation of privilege in the Qualcomm sound driver, with potential arbitrary code execution in kernel context. NVD maps it to CWE-264 and lists CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The supplied records indicate vulnerability coverage for Android versions up to 7.1.1 and Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18. The Android security bulletin referenced in the corpus is the primary patch pointer.

Defensive priority

High. Kernel-context compromise is a significant impact even when exploitation requires local access and higher preconditions. Prioritize patching any affected Android or Linux kernel deployments and verify that vendor fixes have been backported where applicable.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the vendor fixes referenced by the Android security bulletin dated 2017-02-01.
  • Update affected Android devices and kernels that match the supplied vulnerable ranges (Android up to 7.1.1, Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18).
  • Verify OEM or distribution backports for devices that do not receive direct upstream kernel updates.
  • Use fleet inventory to identify exposed Android devices and kernel versions before scheduling remediation.
  • Treat this issue as a kernel-security patch and validate remediation through vendor advisories rather than generic OS update status alone.

Evidence notes

The debrief is based only on the supplied CVE record and NVD metadata. The corpus states the issue was published on 2017-02-08 and later modified on 2026-05-13; the later date reflects record maintenance, not a separate vulnerability disclosure date. NVD references include the Android security bulletin (2017-02-01) and third-party advisory pointers, and the record lists affected CPEs for Android up to 7.1.1 plus Linux kernel 3.10 and 3.18. No KEV entry is present in the supplied enrichment.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-8481 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8481

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

  • CVE-2016-8481 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8481

    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.