CVE-2016-10417 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, 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 820A, and SDX20, in QTEE, a TOCTOU vulnerability exists due to improper access control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10417 represents a significant security flaw within the Qualcomm TrustZone Execution Environment QTEE implementation across multiple Snapdragon chipsets. This issue stems from a time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerability that fundamentally compromises access control mechanisms within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level, exposing a critical weakness in the Trusted Execution Environment that governs sensitive operations and data protection. The affected hardware platforms span across automotive, mobile, and wearable devices, indicating the widespread nature of this security gap.
The technical implementation flaw manifests as a race condition where the system performs access control checks at one point in time but then uses the results at a different moment, creating an exploitable window where malicious actors can manipulate the system state between these two operations. This TOCTOU vulnerability specifically occurs within the QTEE subsystem, which is responsible for managing secure cryptographic operations, key storage, and protected data processing. The improper access control allows unauthorized processes to potentially bypass security restrictions that should normally prevent access to sensitive resources or operations within the trusted execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it compromises the fundamental security model of the device's secure execution environment. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to cryptographic keys, sensitive user data, or privileged system functions that should remain isolated within the trusted zone. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality guarantees that users expect from their mobile devices, particularly in automotive applications where vehicle security systems may rely on these same vulnerable components. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many automotive infotainment systems and mobile devices use these same Snapdragon chipsets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management protocols to ensure all affected hardware receives the necessary updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which specifically addresses time-of-check to time-of-use flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege within secure execution environments. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious access patterns and unauthorized attempts to interact with secure system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution environment and secure processing capabilities. Device manufacturers must also conduct thorough security audits of their supply chains to ensure that all components, particularly those involving trusted execution environments, meet current security standards and are properly patched against known vulnerabilities.