CVE-2016-10431 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, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, TZ applications are not properly validated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10431 represents a critical security flaw affecting various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets used in automotive, mobile, and wearable devices. This weakness resides in the TrustZone (TZ) application validation process, which serves as a crucial security boundary between the secure and non-secure execution environments. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level, leaving millions of devices exposed to potential exploitation. The affected chipsets include the MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 processors, demonstrating the widespread nature of this vulnerability across Qualcomm's product portfolio. This flaw directly relates to CWE-214, which addresses the improper handling of security-critical resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through improper validation of system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the TrustZone environment where sensitive security applications operate. In a properly functioning system, TZ applications undergo rigorous authentication and integrity checks before execution, ensuring that only legitimate and verified code can access the secure world. However, in affected devices, this validation process fails to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of applications running within the TrustZone. Attackers can exploit this weakness to potentially load malicious code into the secure execution environment, bypassing fundamental security controls designed to protect sensitive operations. The vulnerability essentially allows unauthorized applications to gain elevated privileges within the secure world, potentially compromising the entire device security architecture. This issue falls under the broader category of improper input validation, as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate inputs or applications before granting them secure execution privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential pathways for sophisticated attacks that could compromise device integrity and user data. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive information stored in the secure world, including cryptographic keys, biometric data, and other security-critical information. The exploitation could lead to complete device compromise, enabling attackers to install persistent backdoors or modify system behavior without detection. In automotive applications, this vulnerability poses additional risks as it could potentially affect vehicle security systems, connected car features, and safety-critical functions. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for supply chain attacks where malicious actors could compromise devices during manufacturing or distribution processes. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential physical security implications depending on the device type and usage context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10431 require immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Device manufacturers must ensure that all affected devices receive the appropriate security updates containing fixes for the TrustZone application validation process. Users should prioritize updating their devices to the latest security patch levels, particularly those released after the 2018-04-05 date, to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. Network administrators and security teams should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot processes and proper application validation mechanisms, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for information security management. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as device integrity monitoring, behavioral analytics, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is essential to maintain continuous security awareness and ensure that all components of the device security architecture receive proper validation and authentication before execution.