CVE-2016-10389 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, there is no size check for the images being flashed onto the NAND memory in their respective partitions, so there is a possibility of writing beyond the intended partition.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
This vulnerability exists within Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that are integrated into numerous android devices running kernel-based operating systems. The flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms during the flashing process of NAND memory partitions, where the system fails to verify that the image size being written matches the designated partition boundaries. This absence of size validation creates a critical security gap that allows malicious actors to potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond their intended target partition. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum that operate on Linux kernel architectures, encompassing a broad range of mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, and other embedded systems. The lack of proper boundary checking during the flashing operation essentially creates a buffer overflow condition in the partition management system, where data can be written past the allocated memory space. This weakness represents a fundamental failure in the firmware update and memory management processes that Qualcomm implements in their mobile platform solutions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level within the kernel space, making it difficult to detect and exploit through conventional security measures. The absence of size validation during NAND flash operations means that an attacker could potentially overwrite critical system partitions, including bootloader components, system firmware, or secure element areas, leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index or iterator values, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it could enable persistent rootkit installations or complete system takeover scenarios. Attackers could leverage this weakness to install malicious firmware modifications that persist across reboots, potentially compromising the device's integrity and security posture. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile devices are used to access sensitive corporate networks, as it could provide attackers with a foothold for lateral movement and data exfiltration. The exploitation of this vulnerability would typically require physical access to the device or a pre-existing attack vector that allows for firmware modification capabilities. Security researchers have identified that this issue affects multiple generations of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, making it a widespread concern across the mobile ecosystem. The vulnerability's persistence in multiple product lines indicates a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident, suggesting that Qualcomm's firmware update mechanisms lack proper safeguards against malicious or erroneous data injection. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader mobile device security assessments, particularly when evaluating the security of enterprise mobile device management solutions that rely on Qualcomm hardware platforms. The remediation approach requires implementing proper size validation checks within the NAND flash management code, ensuring that all image sizes are verified against partition boundaries before any write operations occur. Additionally, hardware-level protections and secure boot mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system partitions. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in embedded systems, where memory corruption issues can have severe implications for device security and user privacy.