CVE-2016-10288 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Qualcomm LED 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-33863909. References: QC-CR#1109763.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Qualcomm LED driver component of the Android operating system kernel version 3.18, representing a critical elevation of privilege flaw that allows local malicious applications to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the LED driver subsystem, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The issue is particularly concerning because it requires an initial compromise of a privileged process to establish the attack vector, yet once achieved, it provides attackers with complete kernel-level control over the device.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the LED driver's kernel-space implementation, where input validation checks are either missing or inadequate. This weakness creates a potential code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through carefully crafted inputs that manipulate the driver's behavior to execute malicious code within the kernel context. The vulnerability affects the Android platform's kernel subsystem and is specifically associated with the Qualcomm hardware driver implementation, making it particularly prevalent in devices that utilize Qualcomm chipsets. According to the Android security advisory A-33863909, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to device integrity and user data protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's kernel space, enabling them to bypass all security mechanisms that rely on kernel-level protection. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, extract sensitive data, and disable security features that protect user privacy. The requirement for an initial compromise of a privileged process means that the attack surface is somewhat limited, but the potential for lateral movement and system-wide compromise remains significant. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected kernel components and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the LED driver subsystem. Android security updates should be applied promptly to address the underlying kernel flaw, while device manufacturers should ensure that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized code execution within kernel space. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel drivers and the need for comprehensive security testing of low-level system components. Additionally, runtime protection mechanisms and kernel address space layout randomization should be implemented to make exploitation more difficult and reduce the effectiveness of potential attack vectors targeting this class of vulnerability.