CVE-2016-10430 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, and SD 820A, when executing a TA which has been granted privileges to the CPVC MINK class it is possible for the TA to access methods exposed by the CPVC interface.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems, specifically affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The issue resides in the TrustZone execution environment where Trusted Applications (TAs) can potentially escalate their privileges through improper access controls within the CPVC MINK class. The vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation mechanisms that allow a malicious TA to gain unauthorized access to methods exposed by the CPVC interface, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries between secure and non-secure execution contexts.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment. When a TA is granted privileges to the CPVC MINK class, the system fails to properly validate or restrict the methods that can be accessed through the CPVC interface. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges for system resources. The vulnerability allows an attacker-controlled TA to access sensitive methods that should remain restricted to the operating system's secure domain, potentially enabling unauthorized access to system resources and data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it affects automotive and mobile platforms that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets for secure execution environments. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the TrustZone environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of Snapdragon processors including SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, and SD 820A, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's automotive and mobile product lines. This vulnerability could enable attackers to extract sensitive data, modify system behavior, or establish persistent backdoors within the secure execution environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the latest security patches provided by Qualcomm and Android vendors, which address the privilege escalation mechanisms within the CPVC interface. System administrators should also implement proper TA validation and monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation in secure execution environments and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055.001 which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile and automotive platforms to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability and ensure that all devices are running with the latest security updates to prevent unauthorized access to secure system resources.