CVE-2016-10231 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm sound codec driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-33966912. References: QC-CR#1096799.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10231 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm sound codec driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This issue resides in the underlying hardware abstraction layer where audio processing drivers interface with the operating system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from regular user context to system-level access. The vulnerability specifically affects the kernel-mode components responsible for handling audio codec operations, particularly those related to the Qualcomm msm8996 platform and associated hardware implementations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms within the sound codec driver implementation. When the driver processes audio data streams or handles specific ioctl (input/output control) commands, it fails to properly validate the parameters provided by user-space applications. This lack of proper sanitization allows crafted inputs to manipulate kernel memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level where standard user-space protections are bypassed, enabling attackers to gain system-level control over devices running affected Android versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices. Once exploited, adversaries can install malicious applications, modify system files, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, particularly those based on the msm8996 chipset and earlier generations. This includes numerous smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that shipped with Android versions from 5.0 through 7.1, making it a widespread concern across the mobile ecosystem.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-264, which encompasses "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" issues, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The attack surface is particularly concerning given that audio processing is a common and frequently used system function, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can craft malicious audio applications or manipulate existing audio processing workflows. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires local access to the device but can be chained with other vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution in certain scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, along with comprehensive system updates that address the kernel-level driver flaws. Organizations should implement robust application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized audio applications from running, while also monitoring for suspicious audio processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers should ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place within their custom kernel implementations and consider implementing additional runtime protections for audio driver components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure kernel driver development practices and proper privilege separation between user-space applications and kernel-level system components.