CVE-2014-10047 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 400 and SD 800, when writing the Full Disk Encryption key to crypto engine, information leak could occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Android operating system's implementation of full disk encryption on Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors, specifically affecting devices with SD 400 and SD 800 chipsets. The flaw manifests during the critical process of writing encryption keys to the crypto engine hardware component, where sensitive cryptographic information becomes exposed through unintended data leakage mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental protection guarantees provided by full disk encryption, which is designed to prevent unauthorized access to device data even when physical possession is compromised.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper handling of cryptographic key material within the hardware security module of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. During the encryption key writing process, the system fails to adequately sanitize memory regions or properly isolate key material from potential observation points within the crypto engine. This information leak occurs through side-channel attacks that exploit the timing variations, power consumption patterns, or electromagnetic emissions associated with the key storage operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of how hardware-level cryptographic implementations can introduce security gaps when proper isolation mechanisms are not enforced during sensitive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete compromise of device security posture. Attackers with physical access to affected devices can potentially recover full disk encryption keys through specialized forensic techniques, thereby bypassing all encryption protections and gaining unrestricted access to all stored data including personal documents, communications, financial records, and application data. This vulnerability particularly affects devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level, making millions of smartphones and tablets vulnerable to attack. The implications are severe for enterprise environments where mobile devices contain sensitive corporate data, as this vulnerability effectively nullifies the security benefits of full disk encryption that organizations rely upon for data protection.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves applying the relevant security patches released by Google and device manufacturers, which typically include enhanced memory sanitization routines and improved key material handling procedures within the crypto engine. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as enabling strong authentication mechanisms, regularly updating device firmware, and considering device replacement for older models that cannot receive adequate security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1070.004 (Indicator Removal on Host) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may exploit this weakness to gain initial access to devices before leveraging other attack vectors. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of hardware-software security integration and the need for comprehensive security testing of cryptographic implementations in mobile platforms.