CVE-2016-10410 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, buffer overflow vulnerability in RTP during Volte call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability resides within the Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platform's implementation of the Real-time Transport Protocol during voice over LTE (VoLTE) calls. The issue manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing specific RTP packets during active VoLTE sessions. The flaw affects a wide range of Qualcomm chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, and numerous SD series processors spanning from the SD 210 to the SD 850. The vulnerability specifically targets the telecommunications stack within the Android operating system's Qualcomm HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) implementation. This represents a critical security gap that allows for potential remote code execution through crafted RTP packets transmitted during VoLTE calls, making it particularly dangerous for mobile network environments where these chipsets are prevalent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RTP packet processing routines of the Qualcomm multimedia subsystem. When an attacker crafts malicious RTP packets containing oversized or malformed data structures, the buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of these packets within the VoLTE call processing pipeline. The flaw is classified as a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Qualcomm QCE (Quantum Cryptographic Engine) or related multimedia processing components, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit. The attack vector requires the victim to be engaged in an active VoLTE call, where the malicious packets are transmitted over the LTE network, effectively enabling a remote exploitation scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker capable of intercepting or injecting RTP packets during VoLTE communications could execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard Android security mechanisms including SELinux and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability's widespread presence across Qualcomm's chipset portfolio means that millions of devices could be potentially compromised, including smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where VoLTE is extensively used, as attackers could potentially gain persistent access to corporate devices through seemingly legitimate network communications. The exploitability factor is particularly high given that the attack requires minimal user interaction beyond engaging in a VoLTE call, making it suitable for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers, as the fix involves updating the Qualcomm HAL components and Android framework implementations. Organizations should prioritize patch management for all affected devices, particularly those operating in high-risk environments where network interception capabilities exist. Network administrators should implement monitoring for unusual RTP packet patterns and consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, as attackers could establish persistent backdoors through kernel-level exploitation. Device manufacturers must ensure proper input validation and bounds checking in all multimedia processing components, while security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments targeting mobile platform components. The remediation process should include firmware updates for the Qualcomm chipsets, along with Android security patch updates that address the specific buffer overflow conditions in the RTP processing modules.