CVE-2016-10274 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the MediaTek touchscreen driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as Critical due to the possibility of a local permanent device compromise, which may require reflashing the operating system to repair the device. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-30202412. References: M-ALPS02897901.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-10274 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within MediaTek touchscreen driver components that operates at the kernel level. This issue specifically affects Android devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets and demonstrates how hardware driver vulnerabilities can create pathways for malicious applications to gain unauthorized system-level access. The flaw exists within the touchscreen driver implementation that processes input events from the hardware, creating a potential attack surface where unprivileged applications can manipulate kernel memory or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they bypass traditional application sandboxing mechanisms and operate at the core system level where security controls are most critical.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation or memory management within the MediaTek touchscreen driver code. Attackers can craft malicious touchscreen input sequences or manipulate driver interfaces to trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption issues that allow privilege escalation. The kernel context execution means that successful exploitation results in full system compromise where the malicious application can perform operations typically restricted to system-level processes. This includes modifying system files, installing persistent backdoors, accessing sensitive data, and potentially rendering the device inoperable. The vulnerability's classification as Critical stems from the fact that exploitation can lead to complete device compromise without requiring user interaction beyond installing the malicious application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Android device users and organizations relying on MediaTek-powered devices. The local nature of the exploit means that only a malicious application installed on the device can trigger the vulnerability, but this still represents a serious threat since users may unknowingly install compromised applications or be targeted through social engineering attacks. The repair process for affected devices typically requires complete factory reset or operating system reflashing, making this vulnerability not just a security concern but also a practical operational disruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory Location" and represents a classic privilege escalation vector through kernel driver flaws.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to broader security implications for Android ecosystems and device manufacturers. Security researchers and threat actors have documented similar patterns in MediaTek driver implementations, indicating this may represent a systemic issue within the chipset vendor's driver development practices. Organizations deploying Android devices should consider the risk of this vulnerability in their security assessments, particularly for devices that require high security or handle sensitive data. The remediation approach typically involves updating the device firmware or Android system images, though the complexity of driver updates can create challenges for timely deployment. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how hardware-level flaws can be leveraged to achieve system-level control. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing for driver components and the need for robust input validation in all system-level software components that interact with hardware peripherals.