CVE-2016-10232 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm video driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-34386696. References: QC-CR#1024872.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10232 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Qualcomm video driver component of Android systems. This weakness resides in the Android kernel and specifically affects the video processing subsystem that is integral to mobile device functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the driver's handling of video data streams, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from unprivileged user contexts to system-level access. The Android ID A-34386696 and Qualcomm reference QC-CR#1024872 indicate this issue was tracked through established vendor vulnerability management processes, highlighting its significance in the mobile security landscape.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the Qualcomm video driver processes malformed video frames or specific data structures during video decoding operations. When user-space applications submit video data to the kernel driver, insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing the standard security boundaries between user and kernel modes. The flaw typically manifests through the use of crafted video content or video processing commands that trigger the vulnerable code path within the driver's memory management routines. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, addressing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10232 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete system control and access to all device data. Once elevated to kernel privileges, malicious actors can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access encrypted storage, and bypass security features such as SELinux policies or hardware security modules. The vulnerability affects devices running various Android versions that incorporate Qualcomm's video driver components, making it a widespread concern across multiple device manufacturers and model lines. Attackers could exploit this weakness through various vectors including malicious applications, compromised websites, or even physical device access in some scenarios. The low attack complexity and high impact severity make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world deployment environments where users may unknowingly encounter malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10232 require immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates or manufacturer-specific firmware releases. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant Qualcomm security patches that address the buffer overflow conditions in the video driver. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization kASLR and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts. Device users should ensure their systems remain updated with the latest security patches, particularly those addressing Qualcomm kernel components. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of potentially malicious video processing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits, emphasizing the need for comprehensive kernel security hardening measures and regular security assessments of device drivers.