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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
CVE-2016-8481
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.

Official resources

Publicly disclosed in the CVE record on 2017-02-08. The supplied NVD metadata was later modified on 2026-05-13, which should be treated as a record update rather than the issue date. The Android bulletin referenced in the corpus is dated ̲