CVE-2016-10285 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm video driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33752702. References: QC-CR#1104899.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm video driver component of Android systems running kernel version 3.18, representing a critical elevation of privilege flaw that allows local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the video driver's kernel module, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses normal security boundaries. The issue is classified as high severity because it requires initial compromise of a privileged process, but once achieved, provides attackers with complete control over the kernel execution environment. The Android ID A-33752702 indicates this was tracked as a significant security concern within Google's Android security framework, while the Qualcomm reference QC-CR#1104899 shows the vendor's internal tracking of the issue.
The technical flaw manifests through a specific vulnerability in how the Qualcomm video driver processes certain input parameters or memory operations, likely involving buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper access control mechanisms. This allows a malicious application with limited user privileges to manipulate kernel memory or execution flow, ultimately enabling code execution in kernel context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted kernel space, where normal user-space protections are bypassed. Attackers must first gain access to a privileged process or application that has sufficient permissions to interact with the vulnerable driver, but once this initial compromise occurs, the attacker can escalate privileges to gain full system control. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which describes weaknesses in memory handling and improper access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can bypass all standard security mechanisms including SELinux policies, file system permissions, and process isolation controls. This enables persistent backdoor installation, rootkit deployment, and complete data exfiltration from the device. The vulnerability affects all Android devices running kernel 3.18 that utilize Qualcomm video drivers, making it particularly widespread across the mobile ecosystem. The attack surface is significant since video drivers are commonly accessed by various system components and applications, increasing the likelihood of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Qualcomm video driver components through official Android security updates. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the latest security patches from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm released fixes specifically addressing this issue in their kernel modules. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing, monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity, and deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application protection and kernel integrity checking mechanisms to prevent exploitation. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in kernel modules and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities that allow adversaries to gain system-level access and maintain persistent presence on affected devices.