CVE-2016-10347 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an argument to a hypervisor function is not properly validated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10347 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm's Android implementations that leverage the Linux kernel through the Android Common Audio Framework. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within hypervisor function arguments, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the underlying system architecture. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from CAF, making it widespread across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems that depend on Qualcomm's hardware platforms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation of arguments passed to hypervisor functions, which constitutes a classic example of insufficient input validation as classified under CWE-20. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate function parameters in ways that could lead to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the hypervisor context. The hypervisor, as a critical component of virtualization architectures, serves as a foundational layer that manages hardware resources and enforces system security boundaries, making any weakness in its argument validation particularly dangerous.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and potentially compromise the entire device. The flaw's presence in Qualcomm's Android implementations means that a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile platforms could be affected. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and system compromise, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges within the device's security model.
Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to the hypervisor's function call structure, but the consequences of successful exploitation can be severe. The affected systems typically operate under the assumption that hypervisor functions receive properly validated inputs, creating a trust boundary that can be violated through this validation flaw. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for mobile device security, as it undermines the fundamental security architecture that protects user data and system integrity in Android-based devices running on Qualcomm hardware platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10347 typically involve firmware and kernel updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the improper argument validation in their hypervisor implementations. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize applying these updates across affected devices to prevent potential exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous system behavior and implementing network-based detection measures can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in critical system components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of virtualization layers in mobile and embedded systems. Organizations should also consider implementing device hardening practices and maintaining updated threat intelligence to better protect against similar vulnerabilities that may arise in virtualization and hypervisor components.