CVE-2016-10419 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, when initializing scheduler object service request, an out of bounds access could occur due to uninitialized object number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability affects Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors across multiple generations including the MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20 chipsets. The issue stems from an uninitialized object number during the initialization of scheduler object service requests within the Android operating system. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that falls under the CWE-457 weakness category for use of uninitialized variables. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-level components of the Android security framework, specifically within the Qualcomm Snapdragon modem subsystem where the scheduler service manages resource allocation and task scheduling. When the scheduler attempts to process service requests without properly initializing the object number variable, it can lead to unpredictable behavior and memory access violations.
The technical flaw manifests when the scheduler object service request initialization routine fails to properly set the object number parameter before proceeding with memory operations. This uninitialized value can contain arbitrary data from previous memory allocations, leading to out-of-bounds memory access patterns that may result in system crashes, memory corruption, or potentially exploitable conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation opportunities exist, making it a potential vector for attackers to gain elevated system privileges. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. The out-of-bounds access could enable attackers to manipulate memory layout, potentially leading to code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across a wide range of mobile devices that utilize the affected Qualcomm chipsets, particularly those running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch. Devices using these processors are susceptible to denial of service conditions, system crashes, and potential privilege escalation attacks that could compromise device security. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but represents a systemic risk across the entire Qualcomm Snapdragon ecosystem, given the widespread adoption of these chipsets in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it occurs during normal system initialization processes, making it difficult to detect and potentially allowing for persistent exploitation. Organizations and users must understand that this vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive device functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, ensuring that all affected devices receive the 2018-04-05 security update or later. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices, particularly those in enterprise environments where security is paramount. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper initialization practices in kernel code development and highlights the need for comprehensive code review processes that specifically address uninitialized variable usage. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and regularly audit device configurations to ensure all patches are properly applied and maintained.