CVE-2016-6738

HIGH

Android < 7.1.0 - Elevation of Privilege via Qualcomm Crypto Engine Driver

Title source: llm

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-6738. PoCs published by codecat007.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a functional exploit PoC for CVE-2016-6738, a vulnerability in the Qualcomm crypto driver (qce) that allows local privilege escalation by manipulating kernel memory via a crafted ioctl request. The PoC modifies the ptmx_fops kernel structure to achieve arbitrary code execution.

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm crypto engine driver in Android before 2016-11-05 could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Android ID: A-30034511. References: Qualcomm QC-CR#1050538.

Exploits (1)

github WORKING POC 8 stars

by codecat007 · cpoc

https://github.com/codecat007/cvehub/tree/main/android/kernel/CVE-2016-6738

View Code ZIP pw:eip

This repository contains a functional exploit PoC for CVE-2016-6738, a vulnerability in the Qualcomm crypto driver (qce) that allows local privilege escalation by manipulating kernel memory via a crafted ioctl request. The PoC modifies the ptmx_fops kernel structure to achieve arbitrary code execution.

Classification

Working Poc 95%

Attack Type

Lpe

Complexity

Moderate

Reliability

Reliable

Target: Android kernel (Qualcomm crypto driver, qce) on affected devices (e.g., Nexus 6P with Android 6.0.1)

No auth needed

Prerequisites: Access to the target device · Device with vulnerable Qualcomm crypto driver

MITRE ATT&CK

T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism

devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →

References (2)

Core 2

Core References

Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.html

Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94208

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8

EPSS 0.0006

EPSS Percentile 20.6%

Attack Vector LOCAL

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE

CWE-264

Status published

Products (4)

google/android 7.0

google/android < 7.1.0

Google Inc./Android Kernel-3.10

Google Inc./Android Kernel-3.18

Published Nov 25, 2016

Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026