CVE-2014-10063 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9625 and SD 800, a fuse is not correctly blown on a secure device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm Snapdragon MDM9625 and SD800 chipsets affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The core issue involves a critical failure in the secure boot process where a specific fuse designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to the device's secure state is not properly blown during manufacturing or provisioning. This technical flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the hardware-based security architecture that should have permanently disabled certain privileged operations once the device reaches its secure state.
The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of hardware security mechanisms within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset's trust zone. When a fuse is correctly blown, it permanently disables access to sensitive hardware components and prevents modification of critical system parameters that could compromise the device's integrity. In this case, the failure to properly blow the fuse creates a persistent backdoor that allows attackers to bypass security measures that should be permanent and irreversible. This condition directly relates to CWE-1100 which addresses inadequate hardware security mechanisms and represents a failure in the secure boot chain that is fundamental to device security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to devices that should be protected by hardware-level security controls. An attacker with physical access to a vulnerable device could potentially modify the bootloader, install custom firmware, or extract sensitive cryptographic keys that are normally protected by the blown fuse mechanism. This weakness undermines the entire security model of the device and allows for sophisticated attacks that can bypass software security measures and potentially compromise the device's root of trust. The vulnerability affects devices that were manufactured before the 2018-04-05 security patch, making a large number of legacy devices potentially vulnerable.
Mitigation strategies must focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by device manufacturers that address this specific hardware security flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive device inventory management to identify all affected devices and prioritize their remediation. The patch process typically involves updating the bootloader and ensuring that the hardware fuses are properly programmed during the update process. Additionally, device manufacturers should implement more robust verification mechanisms during production to ensure that security fuses are properly blown before devices reach end users. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper hardware security implementation and demonstrates how failures in the manufacturing or provisioning process can create persistent security risks that affect thousands of devices.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1542.001 for Boot or Logon Autostart Execution and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The failure to properly blow the fuse creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access and escalate privileges beyond normal security boundaries. The hardware-level nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental security architecture rather than just software components. The remediation process requires both software patches and potentially hardware replacement for devices that cannot be properly patched, emphasizing the critical importance of proper hardware security implementation throughout the device lifecycle.