CVE-2016-10437 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Small Cell SoC, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, 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 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, and SDX20, while logging debug statements or ftrace events from rmnet_data, the socket buffer function uses normal format specifiers which may result in information exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs and Android systems prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, affecting a wide range of mobile processors including the FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8909W, and numerous SD series processors. The flaw manifests in the rmnet_data driver component which handles network data processing, specifically when logging debug statements or ftrace events. The core technical issue involves improper handling of format specifiers in socket buffer functions that process network data packets, creating a potential information exposure vulnerability through the use of normal format specifiers instead of secure ones.
The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the network stack processing subsystem, where debug logging functions fail to properly sanitize input data before formatting it for output. When the rmnet_data driver encounters network packets requiring logging, it employs standard printf-style formatting functions that do not adequately validate or escape the data being logged. This creates a scenario where sensitive information from network packets, including potentially confidential data, could be inadvertently exposed through debug logs or trace events. The issue stems from a lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the logging mechanism, allowing attackers to potentially extract sensitive information through carefully crafted network traffic or by analyzing debug output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various mobile platforms and network processing scenarios, particularly affecting devices running Android versions before the specified patch date. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by monitoring debug logs or ftrace events generated by the rmnet_data driver, especially in environments where network traffic contains sensitive information such as authentication tokens, session identifiers, or proprietary data. The vulnerability represents a classic information disclosure weakness that could be leveraged to gain insights into system operations, potentially aiding more sophisticated attacks. This issue affects not just individual devices but entire device families, making it particularly concerning from a security management perspective.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 and CWE-219, representing improper input validation and information exposure through insecure logging practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this maps to T1059.001 for command and script injection through log manipulation and T1082 for system information discovery via debug output analysis. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the Android security patches released on or after 2018-04-05, which address the improper format specifier handling in the rmnet_data driver logging functions. Organizations should also implement proper log sanitization policies, disable unnecessary debug logging in production environments, and monitor for anomalous logging patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of network traffic can help detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in environments where sensitive data flows through affected systems.