CVE-2016-10385 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a use-after-free vulnerability exists in IMS RCS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10385 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the IMS RCS (IP Multimedia Subsystem Rich Communication Services) component of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets running Android operating systems. This vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products utilizing the Linux kernel through the Android Common Audio Framework, creating a widespread security risk across numerous mobile devices. The IMS RCS functionality enables advanced communication services including rich media messaging, video calling, and presence information sharing, making this flaw particularly concerning for mobile network security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the IMS RCS subsystem where freed memory blocks are still being accessed or referenced after deallocation. This use-after-free condition occurs when the system fails to properly invalidate pointers or reset memory references following object destruction, allowing malicious actors to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The flaw manifests in the Linux kernel's handling of IMS RCS communication protocols, specifically during message processing and session management operations. According to CWE-416, this vulnerability maps directly to the use-after-free weakness category, where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10385 extends beyond simple device instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Mobile devices utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks targeting the IMS RCS service, which operates with elevated privileges within the Android framework. This vulnerability can be exploited through crafted malicious communications or messages that trigger the vulnerable code path during normal operation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IMS RCS services are often active in the background, continuously processing communication data without user awareness, creating opportunities for stealthy exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require comprehensive system updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists at the kernel level within Qualcomm's proprietary implementations. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected devices, particularly those in enterprise environments where mobile security is paramount. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous IMS RCS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007, adversaries may leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access through command and control channels. Device administrators should also implement network segmentation and traffic filtering to limit exposure of IMS RCS services to untrusted networks, while maintaining detailed logging of communication service activities for threat detection purposes.