CVE-2016-10287 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm sound 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-3.10, Kernel-3.18. Android ID: A-33784446. References: QC-CR#1112751.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Qualcomm sound driver component of Android devices, specifically affecting kernel versions 3.10 and 3.18. The flaw represents a critical elevation of privilege vulnerability that allows a locally malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the sound driver's kernel space implementation, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The issue is classified as High severity because it requires initial compromise of a privileged process, but once achieved, provides attackers with complete kernel access. The Android ID A-33784446 indicates this vulnerability was tracked within Google's internal security tracking system, while the reference to QC-CR#1112751 shows it was originally reported to Qualcomm's internal security team. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which encompasses improper input validation, and specifically relates to privilege escalation through kernel driver flaws.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the Qualcomm sound driver processes certain audio-related system calls or data structures within kernel memory. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious audio data or system calls that trigger improper memory handling within the driver's kernel code. When the vulnerable driver processes this malicious input, it leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The exploitation typically requires a malicious application to first gain access to a privileged process, which then serves as a foothold for the privilege escalation attack. The kernel version dependency means that devices running Android with kernel versions 3.10 or 3.18 are particularly vulnerable, as these versions contain the specific implementation flaw in the sound driver component. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically targets kernel-level privilege escalation through driver vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel space. This level of access enables attackers to bypass all Android security mechanisms, including SELinux policies, application sandboxing, and other security controls that normally protect user data and system integrity. Once compromised, the device becomes vulnerable to persistent rootkit installations, complete data exfiltration, and modification of critical system components. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm chipsets, particularly those manufactured between 2014 and 2016, when these kernel versions were commonly deployed. The local nature of the attack means that physical access to the device or the ability to install a malicious application is sufficient to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security cannot be fully trusted. This flaw represents a fundamental breach in Android's security architecture, as it allows attackers to move from application-level privileges to full system control without requiring external network access or complex attack chains. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level privilege escalation flaw makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments and devices handling sensitive information, as it can be exploited to compromise entire device ecosystems and potentially enable further attacks against networked systems.