CVE-2016-10344 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, the use of an out-of-range pointer offset is potentially possible in LTE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10344 represents a critical memory safety issue affecting Qualcomm products that incorporate Android-based systems with Linux kernel implementations. This flaw manifests within the LTE subsystem where improper pointer validation allows for potential out-of-range memory access patterns that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices utilizing Qualcomm's Android framework and Linux kernel components, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of Qualcomm chipsets across mobile devices and IoT platforms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the LTE driver implementation where pointer arithmetic operations may exceed valid memory boundaries. When processing LTE network packets or managing radio frequency operations, the kernel components fail to validate pointer offsets against established memory limits, creating potential attack vectors for memory corruption exploits. This issue falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly relates to the out-of-range pointer offset behavior described in the vulnerability. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input validation mechanisms are either absent or insufficiently implemented in kernel space operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system instability within Qualcomm-based devices. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code within kernel space, leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. Mobile devices utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets become vulnerable to attacks that could result in data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device takeover. The nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation could occur during normal LTE operations, making detection and prevention particularly challenging for end users and security administrators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware and kernel updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the specific pointer validation issues within their LTE implementations. System administrators should prioritize deployment of security patches and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis or system logs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1068 technique of Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage kernel-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous LTE traffic patterns and establish baseline system behaviors to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should consider implementing additional runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to further reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.