CVE-2016-10238 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In QSEE in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel access control may potentially be bypassed due to a page alignment issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2016-10238 represents a critical security flaw within the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment QSEE component that affects all Android releases utilizing the Linux kernel from Code Aurora Forum. This issue stems from a page alignment problem that creates potential bypass opportunities for access control mechanisms, fundamentally undermining the security model of the secure execution environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level access control implementation that is essential for maintaining the integrity and isolation of secure processes running within the QSEE framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the Linux kernel handles memory page alignment when implementing access control checks within the QSEE environment. When memory pages are not properly aligned according to kernel expectations, the access control validation routines may fail to properly enforce security boundaries. This misalignment creates a condition where malicious actors can potentially manipulate memory access patterns to circumvent the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to secure kernel resources. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to bypass fundamental security mechanisms that protect sensitive operations and data within the secure execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive kernel resources and secure processing capabilities. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access secure memory regions, manipulate secure execution environments, or gain elevated privileges that would normally be restricted. This represents a significant threat to the overall security posture of Android devices, as the QSEE environment is designed to provide a trusted execution environment for handling sensitive operations such as cryptographic key storage, biometric authentication, and secure boot processes. The vulnerability essentially weakens the isolation guarantees that the secure execution environment is supposed to provide, making it possible for malicious code to breach the security boundaries that separate trusted and untrusted execution contexts.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-119, which addresses improper access to memory locations, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including kernel updates from device manufacturers, proper page alignment validation in kernel modules, and enhanced monitoring of access control violations within secure execution environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of rigorous memory management practices in kernel security implementations and highlights the critical need for thorough testing of access control mechanisms under various memory alignment scenarios to prevent similar issues in future implementations.