CVE-2016-10439 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, there is a TOCTOU vulnerability in the input validation for bulletin_board_read syscall. A pointer dereference is being validated without promising the pointer hasn't been changed by the HLOS program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability represents a classic time-of-check to time-of-use flaw that exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems. The issue manifests in the bulletin_board_read system call implementation where input validation occurs at a point in time that may no longer reflect the actual state of the system when the operation is executed. The vulnerability specifically affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level, targeting Snapdragon SoCs including the SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, and SD 820A chipsets. This TOCTOU condition creates a window of opportunity where a malicious actor can manipulate the pointer reference between the validation check and the actual execution of the system call, potentially leading to unauthorized access or privilege escalation.
The technical implementation flaw lies in how the system validates memory pointers during the bulletin_board_read operation without ensuring that the pointer remains unchanged between the validation phase and the execution phase. This pointer dereference validation pattern creates a race condition where an attacker can modify the target memory location or replace the pointer entirely during the brief window between when the validation occurs and when the system actually accesses the memory. The vulnerability specifically impacts the HLOS (Hardware Abstraction Layer Operating System) program, which operates at a privileged level and manages critical system resources. The flaw allows for potential arbitrary code execution or information disclosure through manipulation of the validated pointer reference, making it particularly dangerous in automotive and mobile environments where system integrity is paramount.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for automotive systems that rely on Snapdragon platforms for infotainment, telematics, and safety-critical functions. The exploitation of this TOCTOU condition could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges within the system, potentially enabling them to access sensitive vehicle data, manipulate system controls, or disrupt critical automotive functions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial-of-service conditions and unauthorized data access. Organizations implementing these platforms must consider the broader implications for vehicle security, as this flaw could be leveraged to compromise vehicle safety systems or steal sensitive information from connected vehicles. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-367 Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) weakness classification and represents a critical concern for automotive cybersecurity frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches released by Qualcomm and Google, ensuring that all affected devices receive the 2018-04-05 security update or later. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols specifically targeting automotive and mobile platforms using affected Snapdragon chipsets. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure pointer management in kernel-level operations and highlights the need for proper input validation that accounts for potential race conditions in multi-threaded environments. Security teams should also evaluate their automotive cybersecurity posture and ensure compliance with relevant industry standards such as ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and ISO/SAE 21434, which address the security of automotive systems throughout their lifecycle. Organizations using these platforms should conduct thorough security assessments and consider implementing additional protective measures such as memory protection mechanisms, kernel address space layout randomization, and enhanced privilege separation to reduce the attack surface.