CVE-2016-10418 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 MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835, HLOS can enable PMIC debug through TCSR_QPDI_DISABLE_CFG due to improper access control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile chipsets affected by Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw resides in the Host Logically Operating System (HLOS) component which controls access to the Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) debug functionality through a specific register named TCSR_QPDI_DISABLE_CFG. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized parties to enable PMIC debug features that should remain restricted to privileged system components. This represents a critical security weakness in the hardware security model of these automotive platforms, where the PMIC debug interface can be manipulated without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct register manipulation within the HLOS environment, specifically targeting the TCSR_QPDI_DISABLE_CFG register which controls whether PMIC debug features are enabled or disabled. When this register is improperly configured, it allows attackers to gain access to low-level power management debugging interfaces that provide deep system control capabilities. This access could potentially enable attackers to manipulate power delivery systems, monitor power consumption patterns, or even cause system instability through unauthorized power management operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically representing improper access control within hardware security components. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources, and T1547, which covers privilege escalation through kernel-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe in automotive environments where these chipsets are deployed, as it could enable attackers to manipulate critical power management functions that directly affect vehicle operation. The PMIC debug interface provides access to hardware-level power control that could potentially be abused to disrupt vehicle systems, cause unexpected shutdowns, or even enable more sophisticated attacks that leverage power management as a vector for further exploitation. In mobile contexts, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to power management features that might be used for battery monitoring, system stability manipulation, or as a stepping stone for additional attacks. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9650, and various SD series processors, indicating a widespread exposure across automotive and mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the applicable Android security patches released in the 2018-04-05 update cycle. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of PMIC debug interface access patterns and establish proper access controls for hardware-level registers. Organizations deploying these chipsets in automotive environments should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any unauthorized access to power management interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of hardware security model validation and proper privilege separation between different system components. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized register modifications and provide alerts when PMIC debug features are unexpectedly enabled. Additionally, hardware manufacturers should ensure proper access control mechanisms are implemented at the register level to prevent unauthorized modification of critical system configuration registers, aligning with security best practices from NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks.