CVE-2016-10342 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer overflow vulnerability exists in a syscall handler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10342 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android versions through the Code Aurora Forum. This issue specifically targets the system call handler mechanism where improper input validation and memory management practices create opportunities for malicious code execution. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions that utilize kernel components developed by Code Aurora Forum, making it widespread across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems that depend on this kernel infrastructure. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of system calls, which are fundamental interfaces between user-space applications and kernel-space operations, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the syscall handler code, where attacker-controlled data can overflow predetermined buffer sizes without proper sanitization. This flaw allows malicious applications or compromised system components to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical kernel data structures or executable code. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. Attackers can exploit this weakness through carefully crafted system calls that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, persistent backdoor installation, or denial of service conditions that affect device functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for Android devices since it operates at the kernel level where the highest privileges reside. The attack surface is broad as any application that can invoke the affected system calls may potentially exploit this weakness, though the exact attack vectors depend on the specific kernel implementation and device configurations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire device fleets, particularly in enterprise environments where standardized kernel versions are deployed. The exploitation requires minimal privileges to initiate, as the vulnerability exists within the kernel's system call handling mechanism that typically operates with elevated permissions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged by applications with standard user privileges to achieve kernel-level code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10342 must focus on both immediate patch deployment and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves applying kernel updates from Code Aurora Forum or device manufacturers that contain proper bounds checking and memory management fixes within the syscall handler code. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected devices receive security updates promptly, particularly in environments where device security is paramount. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection mechanisms that make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage. Security monitoring should focus on anomalous system call patterns and unexpected kernel memory modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining awareness of the specific kernel versions and device models affected by this vulnerability.