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CVE-2016-4038 Samsung CVE debrief

CVE-2016-4038 is a Samsung kernel issue in the msm_sensor_config path of the camera sensor driver. NVD describes it as an array index error that can be reached by a local user through the gpio_config.gpio_name value. Because the bug sits in a kernel driver and the NVD CVSS vector rates it as local, low-privilege, and high impact, it should be treated as a serious device-hardening issue for exposed Samsung Android builds.

Vendor
Samsung
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-01
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-01
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Samsung Android device maintainers, mobile security teams, fleet managers, and anyone supporting devices on Android 4.4, 5.0, or 5.1 with APQ8084, MSM8974, or MSM8974pro chipsets should review this issue. It is especially relevant where local app execution or other local access is already possible.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is an array index error in msm_sensor_config within Samsung's msm_sensor.c camera driver. The NVD record ties the flaw to the gpio_config.gpio_name value and lists CWE-20. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that a local attacker with limited privileges may be able to trigger a kernel-level memory handling error with potentially severe confidentiality, integrity, and availability consequences.

Defensive priority

High. The issue requires local access, but it is in kernel code and is scored high by NVD with worst-case impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Prioritize for any device estate that still contains the affected Samsung Android versions or chipsets.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Check whether any managed Samsung devices run Android 4.4, 5.0, or 5.1 on APQ8084, MSM8974, or MSM8974pro chipsets.
  • Map your device firmware against Samsung's SMR-JAN-2016 advisory and the NVD record for CVE-2016-4038.
  • Apply the relevant Samsung firmware or security update that includes the fix for the camera sensor driver issue.
  • Restrict local code execution paths on affected devices where possible, since the attack requires local access.
  • If patching is not immediately possible, remove affected devices from sensitive use cases and monitor for abnormal camera-driver or kernel behavior.
  • Validate that any remediation preserves kernel and vendor firmware compatibility before broad deployment.

Evidence notes

The debrief is based on the NVD CVE record and linked vendor/third-party references supplied in the source corpus. The record states the flaw is an array index error in msm_sensor_config in Samsung's camera sensor driver, with affected Samsung Android 4.4/5.0/5.1 CPEs and APQ8084/MSM8974/MSM8974pro hardware entries. NVD lists CWE-20 and CVSS 3.0 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The description does not provide a detailed exploit outcome, so impact is described only at the level supported by NVD.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-4038 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-4038

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

  • CVE-2016-4038 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4038

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

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.