CVE-2016-10429 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Small Cell SoC, Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear FSM9055, IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, 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, three image types are loaded in the same manner without distinguishing them.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC devices running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, affecting a wide range of automotive, mobile, and wearable platforms including FSM9055, IPQ4019, and numerous MDM and MSM series processors. The flaw stems from improper handling of three distinct image types during the loading process, where the system treats all image formats identically regardless of their intended function or security requirements. This lack of differentiation creates a critical security gap that allows malicious actors to exploit the uniform loading mechanism to bypass intended security boundaries and potentially execute unauthorized code within the device's trusted execution environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel-level image loading subsystem where three different image types - likely firmware components, boot images, or security modules - are processed through identical code paths without proper type checking or validation mechanisms. This architectural oversight violates fundamental security principles of separation of concerns and privilege separation, as the system fails to distinguish between images that require different security contexts or access controls. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in the implementation of access control mechanisms, and represents a failure in input validation and type discrimination. From an attack perspective, this flaw enables adversaries to potentially substitute one image type for another, undermining the integrity of the device's boot process and security chain of trust.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive systems, mobile phones, and wearable devices, potentially affecting millions of devices in the field. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized firmware updates, inject malicious code into critical system components, or compromise the secure boot process that protects against rootkits and other persistent threats. The vulnerability particularly affects automotive platforms like Snapdragon Automobile SoCs, where system integrity is paramount for safety-critical functions, and wearable devices where device security directly impacts user privacy and data protection. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, bypass secure execution environments, and potentially gain persistent access to affected devices. The broad device compatibility across multiple Snapdragon product lines amplifies the potential attack surface and makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate patching requirements and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future implementations. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Android security patches released on or after April 5, 2018, which specifically address this image loading inconsistency. Device manufacturers and OEMs must implement proper image type discrimination mechanisms that validate image formats before loading, ensuring each image type follows appropriate security protocols and access controls. The solution should incorporate principle of least privilege enforcement, proper input validation, and clear separation of image handling processes to prevent cross-contamination between different security domains. Additionally, implementing runtime integrity checks and secure boot mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework, particularly in the area of privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques that attackers might employ to exploit such fundamental implementation flaws in device firmware and boot processes.