CVE-2016-10336 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, some regions of memory were not protected during boot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
This vulnerability affects Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel from the Code Aurora Forum and exposes a critical flaw in the memory protection mechanisms during the boot process. The issue stems from insufficient memory management during the early boot phase when certain memory regions remain accessible without proper protection measures. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the most critical phase of system initialization when the kernel is establishing its security boundaries. The flaw allows potential attackers to access memory areas that should remain protected, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and system compromise. According to CWE-254, this represents a weakness in the security model where the system fails to properly enforce access controls during critical boot operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem failing to properly secure specific memory regions during the boot sequence. During the early boot process, the kernel initializes various memory mappings and protection mechanisms, but certain areas remain accessible through improper memory management configurations. This occurs when the kernel does not correctly apply memory protection attributes to regions that should be restricted to privileged operations only. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects all Android versions utilizing CAF Linux kernels, indicating a widespread exposure across numerous device models and manufacturers. The flaw can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory areas that should remain protected from user-space processes or even malicious kernel modules.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10336 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive kernel data, manipulate memory contents, or even inject malicious code into protected memory regions. This creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats where attackers can establish backdoors or escalate privileges to gain root access. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system privileges to gain higher-level access. Devices affected by this vulnerability may experience complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability during the boot process, potentially allowing attackers to modify the boot loader or kernel itself.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android devices through official security updates from manufacturers. The fix typically involves modifying the kernel's memory management code to properly enforce protection attributes on all memory regions during boot initialization. System administrators should ensure that all devices utilizing CAF Linux kernels receive the appropriate kernel updates that address the memory protection gaps. Additionally, implementing runtime memory protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization kASLR and memory protection keys can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Android device fleets to identify any remaining vulnerable systems and ensure that all memory protection mechanisms are properly configured during the boot process. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management during system initialization and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel components before deployment.