CVE-2016-10277 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Motorola bootloader could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the bootloader. 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: Kernel-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33840490.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10277 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Motorola bootloader implementation affecting Android devices running kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. This vulnerability resides at the lowest level of the system architecture where the bootloader operates, making it particularly dangerous as it provides an attack surface that can be exploited before the operating system fully initializes. The bootloader serves as the first software component that executes when a device powers on, establishing the foundation for the entire boot process and system security posture. When compromised, this component can enable attackers to gain control over the device's most fundamental operations, creating a persistent threat that transcends traditional application-level security boundaries.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and privilege management within the bootloader's code execution pathways. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through a malicious application installed on the device that leverages the bootloader's trust model to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability allows for code execution in the bootloader context, which operates at a higher privilege level than regular applications and typically has access to hardware-level operations and memory regions that are normally restricted. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security architecture of the Android operating system. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal security mechanisms such as SELinux policies and other runtime protections that are only enforced after the bootloader has completed its operations, creating a permanent backdoor that persists across reboots and can be leveraged for complete device compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve permanent device compromise that can only be remediated through complete system reinstallation or reflashing operations. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for users who may not have access to official recovery mechanisms or who rely on their devices for critical operations. The attack vector requires only a locally installed malicious application, making it accessible to threat actors who can potentially gain access through various means such as phishing campaigns, malicious app downloads, or supply chain compromises. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to modify bootloader code, install rootkits, or manipulate system firmware, effectively rendering standard Android security measures ineffective. The vulnerability also enables potential data exfiltration, persistent surveillance capabilities, and can serve as a foundation for further attacks targeting other system components or user data. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and represents a critical weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10277 must address the fundamental flaw in the bootloader implementation while providing practical solutions for affected users. Motorola released security patches for affected devices, but the nature of the vulnerability often requires complete system reinstallation or firmware updates that may not be available for older devices. Users should ensure their devices are running the latest available security patches and firmware updates from their device manufacturers. System administrators and security professionals should implement device monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous bootloader behavior or unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot implementations and proper code signing mechanisms that can prevent unauthorized code execution in bootloader contexts. Organizations should consider implementing device management policies that enforce regular security updates and monitor for signs of bootloader tampering. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the need for adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the importance of protecting system integrity at all levels of the computing stack. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing robust supply chain security measures and conducting regular security assessments of all system components, particularly those operating at the lowest privilege levels where attacks can have the most severe consequences.