CVE-2016-10234 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the Qualcomm IPA driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-34390017. References: QC-CR#1069060.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The information disclosure vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10234 resides within the Qualcomm IPA (Instant Payment Approval) driver component of the Android kernel ecosystem. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized access to sensitive system information through improper handling of kernel memory structures. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and their associated kernel modules. The IPA driver serves as a crucial component in managing network traffic and communication protocols within the mobile platform, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to extract confidential data from the device's memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the IPA driver's kernel code. When processing certain network packets or communication requests, the driver fails to properly sanitize memory access operations, leading to potential information leakage through kernel memory regions that should remain protected from user-space access. This flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive data including but not limited to cryptographic keys, system credentials, and other confidential information stored within kernel memory. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes malformed or specially crafted network data that triggers improper memory handling routines, causing unintended data exposure to unauthorized processes.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the Android security model. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the device's configuration, kernel version, and memory layout patterns, which could subsequently be used to craft more targeted exploits against other system components. The vulnerability's presence in the Android kernel makes it particularly dangerous as it operates below the traditional application security boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to bypass standard Android security controls and access protected system resources. This information could enable attackers to perform advanced persistent threats or combine this weakness with other exploits to achieve full system compromise, making it a significant concern for mobile device security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10234 should focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements within the Android kernel security framework. Qualcomm and Android security teams have issued patches that address the improper memory handling in the IPA driver, requiring device manufacturers to update their kernel implementations to prevent the information disclosure. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected devices receive timely security updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure" and represents a classic example of how improper data handling in kernel space can lead to unauthorized information access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and information gathering, as attackers can use the information disclosed to plan further exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that kernel modules undergo thorough security review processes before deployment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations.